Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 135-7-4 - West Virginia Advance Rapid Response Workforce Development Program Description4.1. The program will focus on workforce delivery programs that develop high-performance work organizations and provide workers with world-class transferable skills enabling them to master technology and foster innovation.4.2. The program will provide the development of specific occupational/technical competencies and workforce skills in critical thinking, problem solving, ability to work in teams, communication, math, science and other critical competencies required for West Virginia workers and companies to be competitive in a global economy.4.3. The emphasis of the program is skill-based training that can be certified through national, state or local assessments resulting in a credential and meeting the economic development goals of the state as determined by the West Virginia Development Office.4.4. The program is intended to provide services to West Virginia companies, but may provide education or training at out-of-state locations with the approval of the Council or Chancellor of the Council (Chancellor).4.5. The West Virginia Advance program will focus on providing services to employers or individuals that have a positive economic outcome on West Virginia. The program will support projects for: 4.5.a. Existing West Virginia companies that are expanding and creating new jobs;4.5.b. Existing West Virginia companies that are requiring employees to obtain new job skills in order to retain their positions and keep or make the company more competitive;4.5.c. Existing West Virginia companies that are upgrading present employees to access high-skill, high-wage occupations within the company;4.5.d. Companies or industry sectors or clusters that are targeted by the West Virginia Development Office as critical to West Virginia's economic development;4.5.e. New companies locating in West Virginia that require a skilled workforce for start-up;4.5.f. West Virginia Development Office projects, targeted industries or local economic development initiatives;4.5.g. Pre-employment training or preparation to enter a program leading to a high-demand occupation;4.5.h. Workers displaced by company closings or reductions in the workforce.4.5.i. Entrepreneurship development programs that have a positive economic impact on a region or community, particularly rural areas, and produce individual employment opportunities.