MORGANTOWN — With more than $12 billion in new projects recently announced for West Virginia, the West Virginia Building and Construction Trades used its biennial conference this month to press the case that union labor and apprenticeship programs must keep pace with a looming construction boom.
The daylong “Forging a Stronger Future” conference, held April 9 at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place, drew more than 180 attendees — tradespeople, elected officials, educators, developers and workforce development staff — for panel discussions on apprenticeships, new energy and infrastructure projects, and the role of union crews in building out the state.
“We were excited to bring a great group of people with various backgrounds together for this conference,” said Justin Williams, director of the West Virginia Affiliated Construction Trades. “We had over 180 people in the room including tradesmen and women, elected officials, educators, developers, and workforce development folks. There’s a lot of exciting work going on in West Virgina and we’re excited to be at the forefront in helping develop new projects.”
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Fourth District Vice President Austin Keyser opened the conference with remarks on the strength of union labor in the state.
“I have the distinct pleasure of representing IBEW’s Fourth District, so I have seen the work ethic and skill that comes with West Virginia’s workforce firsthand,” Keyser said. “Your dedication to excellence in your craft is why businesses want to come to West Virginia to build their operations.”
Project BEST Executive Director Nathan Butts moderated the first panel, “Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Opportunities in the Mountain State,” which featured representatives from WV ACT, the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, the Workforce Development Board Mid-Ohio Valley and the Washington County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Department.
“It’s great to know that workforce development, higher education institutions, and the corrections programs are working with the unions to establish quality training opportunities that lead to promising careers down the road,” Butts said. “The best way for West Virginia to grow is for all of us to work together toward a common goal.”
Hope Gas CEO Morgan O’Brien followed with an update on the utility’s infrastructure work around the state.
“We are a true partner with the Building Trades here in West Virginia. In 2025 we had over 1,100 Building Trade workers replacing pipe throughout the mountain state,” O’Brien said. “As a business we helped more than a dozen businesses commit to the Building Trades a workforce to ensure those employees were paid a family sustaining wage using the highest level of training and commitment to safe work. We expect that number to grow in 2026 and beyond. Together our partnership is committed to help West Virginia achieves its greatest days for the families that live here.”
West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson delivered the keynote address over lunch, tying the trades’ work to WVU’s long-term planning.
“One of the foundations of the WVU Strategic Compass — our comprehensive plan focused on future success — is the modernization and alignment of University infrastructure to support our academic, research, and outreach missions,” Benson said. “The groups associated with the West Virginia Building and Construction Trades are critical to this work that will benefit all of West Virginia, and we are thankful for their committed partnerships.”
A second panel, “Exciting New Projects in the Mountain State,” was moderated by West Virginia Women Work Director Carol Phillips and included representatives from Clearway Energy and Competitive Power Ventures discussing energy facility projects underway in the state. Williams also joined that panel.
“New development projects in the energy sector are helping West Virginia grow as we’re able to maintain our position as the fifth-largest energy producer in the United States,” Phillips said. “Our labor force does a tremendous job delivering quality work across multiple industries and I think that was truly made apparent today.”
The final panel of the day, “Utilizing Union Labor to Build a Better West Virginia,” was moderated by WV ACT Government Relations Director George Capel and featured representatives from ELVN Build and Waterfront Hall talking about how businesses and developers can connect with union crews.
“We’re proud to work with our business partners to build their dream projects,” Capel said. “Our local workers take pride in our state and in their crafts. When developers hire local, it boosts the state’s economy and always results in a better product.”
