What is your name and profession? I’m Lisa Jones, and I’m the Program Coordinator for the WVU Extension Small Farm Center which is a center under the larger Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Unit that is part of WVU Extension. I know your work focuses on supporting folks in the
What is your name and what do you do? My name is Matthew Creameans, and I started NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) crane operator training when I was 17 years old. Crane operating is a family business, and I’ve operated cranes in a wide range of
What is your name, and what is your nontraditional career? My name is Dakota Brown, and I am a Cultivation Associate. My department focuses on cultivation and harvest, and I work on the harvest side of that. Let’s start at the beginning of your career journey. What were you doing
Choosing a career path is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. For decades, the message was clear: go to college, get a degree, and success will follow. But with rising student debt, changing job markets, and a growing need for skilled workers, more people are taking a
When most people think about job training, they picture learning how to use tools, machines, or specific computer programs. But there’s another kind of training that can be just as important—sometimes even more so. It’s called soft skills training, and employers everywhere are looking for it. At West Virginia Women
With the rising cost of college, growing demand for skilled workers, and increasing interest in hands-on careers, more people are exploring the possibility of entering the trades. But how do you know if it’s the right path for you? At West Virginia Women Work, we’ve worked with hundreds of individuals
Can you tell me about your education and professional journey? My background is in chemistry. I got my bachelor’s in chemistry from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia which is an HBCU. An incident happened while I was an undergrad that prompted me to explore a career as a lawyer. There
In a world where the job market is constantly evolving, one thing remains the same: people need people. At West Virginia Women Work, we see every day how powerful mentorship and volunteer support can be in helping individuals transition into living-wage jobs, especially in the skilled trades. During National Volunteer
What is your name, and what is your job? My name is Nicole Holley, and I’m a CNC plasma table operator. What were you doing before you enrolled in WV Women Work’s Step Up for Women manufacturing class? I worked as a customer advocate for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
In an ever-changing economic landscape, West Virginia faces a unique set of challenges and opportunities. One of the most promising strategies for maintaining and growing a strong workforce is the expansion and support of apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeships have proven to be highly effective in bridging critical workforce gaps, equipping individuals
