West Virginia job and employment training programs.
Whether you need to find a job or acquire new skills, West Virginia workforce development services are available. The state coordinates a number of resources in an effort to help the unemployed, seniors, veterans and career changers acquire the skills and training they need to be successful in today’s challenging work force.
Many of the programs available in West Virginia are part of the WorkForce program. This is a service that can help residents find the right job for them. Dozens of offices are located across the state and they provide clients with counseling, access to a database of available jobs, one-on-one assistance, and other support. Employment specialists can help people receive the training or education they need in order prepare for a new or more challenging, upgraded position.
Career services available at these centers are extensive. Get assistance conducting a job search or find tips on how to move up the ladder. Counselors can help you prepare a cover letter and resume. Workshops and classes can coach you on workplace expectations and provide interview skills. Assessments on your strengths, interests, and skills sets can help clients find an occupation that best suits you.
Basically WorkForce West Virginia can help qualified clients connect with job training and education programs. By making available the appropriate resource to provide free or low cost educational and training opportunities, the state is working to provide its citizens with the skills that are needed by businesses.
The program is made up of a network of workforce development services that were created to provide both West Virginia's employers and citizens with the opportunity to compete in the nation’s competitive global economy. The agency is federally funded using grants from the U.S. Department of Labor. Example of what may be available is below.
-General Job Seeker Services include career counseling, referrals to job opportunities, resume services, training/education resources and maybe emergency funding.
-Access to free Labor Market Information tracks employment data and trends. Job seekers can learn about high demand careers in West Virginia, salary info, and get other key data points.
-The federal government supported Dislocated Workers Services program provide on-site assistance to employers and their workers who experience mass firings. The program will provide impacted workers with rapid response services, Work Opportunity Tax credits, and administration of Trade Adjustment Assistance training program.
-Assistance is also offered for local businesses. These Employer Services include WorkKeys, recruitment and screening assistance, Governor’s Guaranteed Workforce Program, training award information, tax credit information, and assessments and job profiles.
Veteran services ensure that qualified former military members and their spouses have priority consideration for any available job opportunities. Qualified veterans are entitled to priority services from any and all job training and employment assistance programs.
Some of the services provided to them include immediate referral to any open positions, hiring employers and job training programs. They can also receive counseling, testing and career development assistance. Also learn your rights under the Uniformed Service Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA), including rights of Army reserve and national guard members.
Another option is the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS). This can provide residents with resources and information on career preparation, employment and expertise and the protection of veterans’ employment rights. Dial 1-800-252-5627.
Rapid Response is for employees that work at West Virginia companies going through mass layoffs. Teams from your local WorkForce office will plan and deliver free services. The goal is to help dislocated workers to transition into new employment opportunities as quickly as possible.
A dislocated worker is an individual that has become unemployed due to a business closing or mass layoff and that was no fault of their own. Impacted workers can attend group meetings and receive overview of available re-employment and transition services. Classes and workshops can provide advice on resume writing, tips for surviving a layoff, etc.
The federal government coordinated Senior Community Service Employment Program, or SCSEP, can help West Virginia residents age 55 and older. Resources that are available at your local career center can assist low income and poor residents over the age of 55 that are trying to reenter the workforce. Qualified candidates and senior workers will be placed into part time jobs so they can gain skills, experiences, and more. They will also receive some income and maybe even benefits as part of this process.
On-the-Job Training is arranged for both employers and employees. This provides unique opportunities for participants to learn a new skill or gain experience as they earn an income. Many unemployed individuals find the most benefit from the program. The employee who is able to enroll not only acquires new knowledge and skills, but in general they will also receives the same wages and benefits from the employer. The reason this is possible is that West Virginia, using federal government grants and funds, will reimburse the company for part of the participant’s wages and benefits during the training period.
Employers also benefit from receiving free screening, assessment and referrals of applicants. They can set job performance standards. Companies can combine this program with other employer incentives such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The government reimbursement will also reduce your hiring and training costs.
WorkKeys is a career, workforce, and economic development system. It helps employers ensure they are receiving a qualified applicant. Those who are seeking a job may benefit from going through this process as it will help distinguish them from applicants who have not.
Locations and counties served by WorkForce offices
Residents of Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, and Wetzel counties.
100 Municipal Plaza, Weirton, West Virginia 26062, call 304-794-2001
Warwood Shopping Plaza, 1275 Warwood Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003, job service phone number 304-238-1045
257 North State Route 2, New Martinsville, WV 26155. Call this WorkForce West Virginia Career Center at 304-455-0902.
The WorkForce centers for Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocohontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster and Wyoming counties are below.
200 New River Town Center, Beckley, West Virginia 25801. Job Service hotline is 304-256-6792
195 Davis Street, Princeton, WV 24740, telephone 304-487-2248
110 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Welch, WV 24801, 304-436-3131
20 Red Oaks Shopping Center, Ronceverte, WV 24970, main phone number 304-647-7410
830 Northside Drive, Suite 123, Summersville, West Virginia 26651, 304-872-0820
Another region includes Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia.
Location is 2699 Park Avenue, Suite 240, Huntington, WV 25704, dial 304-528-5525
130 Stratton Street, Logan, WV 25601, 304-792-7010
Address is #19 Putnam Village Shopping Center, Teays, West Virginia 25569, 304-757-7270
The main center for Kanawha County is located at 1321 Plaza East in Charleston, WV 25325. Call 304-558-0342.
This may be the largest center in the state. Both the unemployed and people looking to gain new skills benefit from the training programs, free career counseling, and other resources provided.
Offices for Calhoun, Clay, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties.
Address - 300 Lakeview Center, Parkersburg, WV 26102, call 304-420-4525
404 Main Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550, main job service number is 304-675-0857
206 Stone Drive, Ripley, West Virginia 25271, dial (304) 373-0313
The unemployed and job seekers in Barbour, Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, and Upshur counties should call the following.
16 Sterling Drive Career center is at Bridgeport, West Virginia 26330-9132. Dial 304-627-2125
1023 N. Randolph Ave, Elkins, WV 26241, 304-637-0255
Veterans Square, 320 Adams Street, Suite 107, Fairmont, WV 26654, telephone - 304-363-0654
304 Scott Avenue, Morgantown, West Virginia 26508, 304-285-3120
The region of Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties are supported by the offices indicated below. The centers to call are below. Get information of employers that may be hiring, career assessment, and more.
891 Auto Parts Place, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403, call 304-267-0065
1929 State Road 55, Moorefield, West Virginia 26836, 304-538-7741
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