Governor issues order creating Blue Ribbon Task Force to develop training and education opportunities, providing better jobs for West Virginians

News Release
June 16, 2021

CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice issued an executive order Tuesday, creating a Blue Ribbon Task Force, designed to better integrate the training and certification programs offered through the West Virginia Community and Technical College system and West Virginia’s Workforce Development system, opening the door to better job opportunities for all West Virginians.

“I’ve said many times that we need to do everything in our power to create more and more opportunities to educate and train the hard-working, dedicated West Virginians who make up our workforce,” Gov. Justice said. “By creating this Blue Ribbon Task Force, we’ll have some of our State’s brightest minds all pulling the rope together so that, as more and more businesses move into West Virginia, our people will be ready to fill the numerous high-paying job opportunities that will become available.”

The mission of the Blue Ribbon Task Force will be to develop a roadmap for integrating West Virginia’s CTC and workforce development systems to provide a strategic vision for the State to afford all West Virginians equitable opportunities for lifelong learning and increased personal economic mobility.

The task force will also help connect West Virginia employers with individuals who possess the particular skills, knowledge, and education needed to grow their businesses.

The task force will consist of State officials, business leaders, and other key stakeholders. The Governor’s executive order establishes the members of the task force, including:
• The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff or their designee, who will serve as Chair of the task force
• The President of the West Virginia Senate or their designee
• The Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates or their designee
• The Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce or their designee
• The Secretary of West Virginia Department of Economic Development or their designee
• The Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System or their designee
• The Interim Vice Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System or their designee
• The Technical Education Officer at the West Virginia Department of Education
• Two presidents of West Virginia community and technical colleges
• The Executive Director of WorkForce West Virginia
• Two local Workforce Development Center directors
• Four business community leaders, representing the interests of various industry sectors and regions within West Virginia
The Blue Ribbon Task Force will meet biweekly for six months and then deliver its findings and recommendations to the Governor. As a result of the task force’s recommendations, West Virginia’s CTC and workforce development systems will submit a combined plan to the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor, addressing both education and workforce development.