The Value of Apprenticeships in West Virginia’s Economy
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 with practical, job-specific skills, and […]
Vocie From The Field: Taylor Carnell
What is your current profession? I’m the Operations Manager for PATTERN. Would you mind explaining to our readers what PATTERN is? PATTERN is in development but is going to be a cut and sew manufacturing and industrial sewing training facility in Beckley, WV, set to open in late Summer. We’re working to build a textile […]
Voice From The Field: Laura
What were you doing before enrolling in West Virginia Women Work’s Step Up for Women construction class? I was working at fast food restaurants. I was trying to figure out what career to pursue, but nothing felt right. One day I went to the library, as I like to do my free time, and saw […]
Voice From The Field: Dave Lavender
Tell me about the professional and educational path that led you to where you are today. My name is Dave Lavender, and I am the Apprenticeship Program Coordinator with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development’s Film Office. I am a lifelong journalist as well as an entertainment journalist. My education and experience started at […]
Celebrating 25 Years of Impact: Help Us Build the Future with $25 for 25 Years
For 25 years, West Virginia Women Work has been helping individuals across our state build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed in high-wage, high-demand careers in the skilled trades. From construction sites to manufacturing floors, our graduates are powering industries that keep our communities strong. This year, as we mark 25 years […]
From the Classroom to the Jobsite: Success Stories Driving West Virginia’s Future
When people think about what keeps West Virginia running, they often think of the industries—construction, manufacturing, energy, transportation—that power our economy. But behind every project, every delivery, and every completed job is something even more important: the skilled workers who make it happen. At West Virginia Women Work (WVWW), we know that when we invest […]
What It Takes to Build a Workforce That Works for West Virginia
West Virginia’s future depends on having a strong, reliable workforce ready to take on the jobs that keep our state running. But right now, many industries across our state are facing a challenge that threatens that future: there simply aren’t enough skilled workers to fill critical roles. At West Virginia Women Work (WVWW), we’re doing […]
How Skilled Workers Are Keeping West Virginia’s Economy Strong
West Virginia has always been powered by hard work. From the industries that built our communities to the businesses that keep them running today, skilled workers are the foundation of our state’s economy. But right now, a growing shortage of trained professionals threatens to slow that momentum. At West Virginia Women Work (WVWW), we see […]
Step Up for Women Construction Pre-apprenticeship Alumni: Ashley Standish Conley
What were you doing before joining WV Women Work’s Step Up for Women Construction class? I was a retail manager working at the local mall and lost my job. They fired me when I was 35-weeks pregnant because I was reluctant to climb a 12-foot ladder to change marketing notices and preferred to have a […]
Voice From The Field: Justin Owcar
What is your name, and what do you do? Hi, I’m Justin Owcar president of the WV Filmmakers Guild. How did you become the president of the WV Filmmakers Guild? My friend Tom Heckman, the current Secretary, and I went to our first WVFG meeting in 2012 in Charleston, and the vice president position was […]
