What hope West Virginia has for future economic opportunity, economic diversification and reversal of the trend of outward migration of our people is conditioned on our capacity to more fully develop our human resources – an educated and trained workforce for the jobs of today as well as the jobs of tomorrow. The transportable and flexible nature of the global economy requires us to compete not only with neighboring states, but nations across the globe for job opportunities for our people. Current and future generations of West Virginians must be prepared to take their place as part of a workforce prepared to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

As state government leaders and stakeholders continue the ongoing debate about education reform, the West Virginia Business & Industry Council wants this conversation to include the perspective of employers. Our members represent some 26 different industries that employ nearly 400,000 people. We know better than anyone what capacity and skills are required of those making careers in our industries.

Pro-Business policies leading to growing economy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – With recent data from WorkForce West Virginia showing that the state’s unemployment rate has dropped to 4.2 percent – the lowest level since 2008 – and record state revenue collections building to what may be one of the largest state budget surpluses in memory, West Virginia is experiencing incredible economic growth.