West Virginia Women Work Selected for GitLab Foundation’s Powering Economic Opportunity Fund
West Virginia Women Work (WVWW) is proud to announce its selection as one of ten organizations nationwide awarded funding through the GitLab Foundation’s inaugural Powering Economic Opportunity Fund. This national initiative supports nonprofits helping low-wage workers access quality, future-ready careers in fields such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and the skilled trades. The funding will […]
How Apprenticeships Build Careers Without Breaking the Bank
For many people, the idea of earning a living while training for a new career sounds too good to be true. But that’s exactly what apprenticeships offer: real wages, hands-on learning, and a direct path to stable work. Across West Virginia, skilled trades like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are in high demand, and apprenticeship programs […]
Voice From The Field: Nikki Hollen
What is your name and occupation? My name is Nikki Hollen, and I work on the production floor at Corhart, which is a glass refractory. What were you doing before your career with Corhart? I was a retail manager. I have a business degree, but unfortunately, I wasn’t in the right place in my life […]
Voice From The Field: Sensei Stacy Fouse
What is your name and occupation? I am Sensei Stacy Fouse, and I teach martial arts at The OHANA Self-Defense Institute. I teach the Kinder Warriors program—which are the three to six year olds—as well as karate. The dojo teaches traditional martial arts and takes pride in being family oriented. What were you doing before […]
Voice From The Field: Noelle Linda Kolb
What is your name and occupation? Noelle Linda Kolb. I am the owner of Assumption Records in Rivesville, WV. Can you tell me about the personal journey that led to owning a record store? I started my professional life as a pharmacy tech. That was my job for many years until our daughter Windy was […]
Why Skilled Trades Matter More Than Ever in West Virginia
In West Virginia, we know the value of hard work. When something breaks, we fix it. When there’s a job to be done, we roll up our sleeves and get it done. That kind of mindset is exactly what the skilled trades are built on. At West Virginia Women Work, we’ve spent the last 25 […]
Voice From The Field: Dr. Doolarie (Dee) Singh-Knights
Introduction What is your name and occupation? My name is Dee Singh-Knight, and I am an extension professor at WVU in the Division of Land Grant Engagement. I have been in this position since 2010. I am a university professor, teaching university students for half of my time, and the other half of the time […]
Voice From The Field: Kristie Mayfield
What is your name and occupation? Kristie Mayfield, I work for Oracle Corporation, a technology company, in its Customer Success Services organization. My job is to develop programs designed to train and enable sales reps to sell our services to customers – these services are designed to help customers use Oracle’s products and technology more […]
Voice From The Field: Lisa Jones
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 agriculture business. Can you tell […]
Voice From The Field: Matthew Creameans – Training the Next Generation of Crane Operators
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 industries. Today, my business—Crane Edge, […]