WV Jobs Network
Good People. Good Jobs. Good Workplaces.
Many people do not see employment opportunities for them in West Virginia and they leave the state to find employment, while at the same time WV employers struggle to fill open positions. The WV Jobs Network (WVJN) was created in 2021 to address this disconnect. The WVJN brings together individuals and organizations that are building innovative workforce pathways that benefit the job seeker, the employee and the employer.
This conference focused on:
- Fostering a culture of learning and collaboration among students, job seekers, faculty, administrators, workforce trainees, employers, and industry professionals.
- Championing interdisciplinary, cooperative strategies to drive systems change and enhance the impact and sustainability of workforce development and STEM education initiatives.
- Facilitating meaningful discussions about policies at all levels that influence STEM education and workforce development and implementing actionable strategies to drive impactful policy changes.
- Showcasing successes and best practices to elevate workforce development and STEM education outcomes.
- Identifying strategic next steps to enhance and expand both networks.
About WV Jobs Network
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN JOB SEEKER AND EMPLOYER
The WV Jobs Network (WVJN) believes that to solve workforce challenges it takes looking at the entire pathway, from educators to employers to job seekers. The WVJN brings together voices from all sides to share information and collaborate on solutions. There are no quick, easy answers to the workforce challenges that face WV and the region, but by having all sides represented there is a greater understanding and knowledge-sharing of the core issues.
The WVJN helps connect employers, job seekers, educators, and workforce partners to strengthen retention, build skills, and grow a more connected workforce across the state.
We do this by:
- Curating high-quality resources
- Creating practical tools
- Sharing proven practices
- Providing coaching and training
- Hosting workshops, events, and conferences
WV Jobs Network Services
POWER SKILLS
Power Skills are essential leadership skills, that go beyond a specific job title; they help individuals be more successful in school, the workplace, and in life. People who exhibit these skills are innovative and team-oriented and they excel as community leaders, entrepreneurs, and valuable members of the workforce. These skills are:
- Initiative
- Time Management and Prioritization
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Focus and Productivity
- Workplace Communication
- Customer Focus
- Project Management
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Public Speaking and Advocacy
- Networking
- Emotional Intelligence
- Citizenship and Community
This professional development program is for everyone who wants to level up their own skills or those of their teams, including employees, AmeriCorps members, students, entrepreneurs, jobseekers, and lifelong learners of all kinds.
- Curriculum structure
- Online learning modules
- Opportunities and tips for improving your skills in real time
- Weekly virtual discussion group
- Power Skills coaching
- Digital completion badge certified by the WV Jobs Network that can be included on a resume and/or online professional profile
The skills are separated into 3 mini-courses and each take about 7 weeks to complete. The average weekly commitment is 2-3 hours.
The WV Jobs Network has identified a regional need for a strong workforce development model that includes a Power Skills Certification for West Virginia and the Appalachian region. The program is based on the Department of Labor’s Competency Model Clearinghouse together with input from local industry leaders and proven innovators in workforce development in the Appalachian region.
Are you are an individual looking to get Power Skills certified or an organization looking for quality professional development for your team?
The Good Workplaces Program at High Rocks helps West Virginia employers strengthen employee retention, engagement, and satisfaction through personalized coaching, practical tools, and strategic support.
When your team thrives, your business grows. This program provides tailored guidance to help you become the kind of workplace people want to stay and grow in.
The Good Workplaces Program is open to any business, nonprofit, or public employer in West Virginia with at least one employee. The program is particularly useful for small businesses and organizations without full human resources teams. Good Workplaces is ideal for supervisors, managers, and leaders shaping hiring, staff development, and workplace culture.
A one year membership in Good Workplaces is priced on a sliding scale based on size. Fee waivers are available for WV employers thanks to the generous investment of our funders. Participants complete a short intake and exit survey, choose and implement a workplace improvement project, and provide feedback to help improve the program. View our full program description (below) for more information about our sliding scale pricing.
Good Workplaces membership includes access to a powerful package of services and support designed to meet employers where they are and support them moving forward:
- Organizational Assessment to identify key areas of strength and opportunity
- Up to 40 Hours per Year of one-on-one support with a Good Workplaces coach to set and meet goals at your own pace
- Online Learning Modules with on-demand self-paced training and templates
- Learning Groups to connect with peers, share ideas, and problem-solve
- Navigation Services for assistance in connecting with resources and funding
- Network Connections to professionals and services tailored to your specific needs
Flexible scheduling, open office hours, and 24/7 access to online tools. You’ll choose one project to work on during the year and get help implementing it in real time.
Ready to learn more or get started? Complete this short interest form!
Connect with the WV Jobs Network
As part of the Collective Impact Model, the WV Jobs Network brings together partners and stakeholders from across the region to learn together and share what’s working to help people stay and thrive in Appalachia.
To get involved or learn more, contact the WV Jobs Network at wvjn@highrocks.org.
WV Jobs Network is powered by the Appalachian Regional Commission, Economic Development Association, and the Benedum Foundation
Resources
- Generation WV Career Connector
- WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
- First Ascent West Virginia
- AmeriCorps
- WV Hive
- Workforce WV
- WV Climb
- WV Invests
- College for West Virginia (CFWV)
- Durable Skills - America Success
- Center for Education and the Workforce Reports
- Center for Work Ethic Development - Curriculum
- Empowered Employment
- Apprenticeships