WVNCC awarded $1.5 million U.S. Department of Labor Grant

West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) has been awarded $1.5 million as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s $65 million Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC) Training Grant initiative. WVNCC is one of only 18 institutions nationwide—and the only recipient in West Virginia—to receive this prestigious funding.

The grant will fund WVNCC’s ambitious M.A.P.S. 2.0: Manufacturing and Production Skills Pathway for the 21st Century, a next-generation, industry-aligned skills pathway designed to support the revitalized manufacturing and production industries in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. This initiative aims to build workforce education and training capacity in the Ohio River Valley region, focusing on sustainable and scalable change to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing and next generation energy.

“This grant represents an incredible opportunity for our students, our region, and our college to lead the charge in workforce innovation,” said WVNCC President Dr. Daniel Mosser. “M.A.P.S. 2.0 is a transformative pathway that will ensure our graduates are well-prepared for the future of advanced manufacturing and energy production.”

M.A.P.S. 2.0 was developed in response to the Northern Panhandle’s transformation into a hub for energy manufacturing. In 2022, clean energy companies added 7,000 jobs across West Virginia, with companies like Form Energy driving economic growth in the region. Form Energy’s new iron-air battery manufacturing facility in Weirton alone is projected to employ 750 skilled workers, demonstrating the critical demand for programs like M.A.P.S. 2.0.

“Partnerships like this are essential for building a pipeline of skilled talent that will not only sustain, but also drive the growth of manufacturing in the region,” said Sarah Bray, Vice President of Communications & Corporate Affairs at Form Energy. “West Virginia Northern Community College’s M.A.P.S. 2.0 program is exactly the kind of forward-thinking initiative that ensures our workforce is ready for the opportunities of tomorrow.”

The plan includes partnerships with companies like Form Energy and organizations such as Project BEST, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, and local schools to design cohesive training programs that align with industry needs. A key component of this initiative is targeted outreach to underserved populations, including veterans and women, to ensure equitable access to training and career opportunities. The program also calls for the creation of stackable credentials and training programs that provide a clear pathway to employment in advanced manufacturing careers.

The Northern Panhandle is experiencing unprecedented economic transformation, including new and updated world-class manufacturing facilities. This program will provide comprehensive support and training to build a highly skilled workforce capable of sustaining the region’s new economic momentum.

Partners for the M.A.P.S. 2.0 project include: Form Energy, Project BEST, Upper Ohio Valley Building Trades Council, Ohio Valley Construction Employee Council, TEAM Consortium, Williams Energy, Fanti, Touchstone Research Laboratory, Highline Warren, West Virginia Manufacturers Association, Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board, West Virginia Workforce Development Board, Helping Heroes, YWCA, Marshall County Schools, Brooke County Schools, Hancock County Schools and the WVNCC Foundation.