About Us

WorkForce West Virginia is a state agency funded through the U.S. Department of Labor that oversees the state unemployment insurance program as well as a network of workforce development services designed to provide West Virginia’s citizens and employers the opportunity to compete in today’s global economy.

WorkForce West Virginia is the Mountain State’s center for workforce resources; including job opportunities, unemployment compensation, training, tax incentives and labor market information. All of our services are available at 13 comprehensive career centers located throughout the state. In addition, WorkForce West Virginia has the largest online database of job seekers and job openings in West Virginia.

WorkForce West Virginia is a one-stop center for workforce resources, including the following services:

  • Job Seeker Services– Job Seeker Services include referrals to job opportunities, career counseling, resume services, training/education resources and funding.
  • Employer Services– Employer Services include recruitment and screening assistance, training award information, Governor’s Guaranteed Workforce Program, and tax credit information.
  • Training for Employers- Depending upon your specific workforce needs, we can help you determine the best education or training program, locate viable candidates to participate in training and even arrange on-the-job training for employees. Let’s get started by learning more about workforce training programs available statewide.
  • Business Services Team– WorkForce West Virginia can help connect you with business services in your local community to meet and address a variety of immediate and long-term company needs, including access to available workforce training programs in your local community. We understand it is critical that your employees have the proper education and training required for the job. That’s why the team at WorkForce West Virginia stands ready to help you navigate the education and training process
  • Unemployment Compensation Programs- Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own that meet West Virginia’s eligibility requirements.
  • Labor Market Information– Find information relating to the Labor Force, Occupational Information, Industry Data, and Top Employers. Download ePubs and Website Viewing Tips.
  • Dislocated Workers– If you have been laid off from your job, WorkForce has services available to help you. We can assist you in career planning, job placement, filing an unemployment claim, classroom training opportunities, stress counseling and more. WorkForce staff can also provide help in resume writing and preparing for a job interview.
  • Layoff Aversion Resources– Layoff aversion is currently conducted by the West Virginia Development Office (WVDO). The Dislocated Workers Unit coordinates with the WVDO by providing copies of WARN Notices and requesting permission to serve WARN and non WARN dislocations. This prevents conflicts with any state or local aversion efforts. Layoff Aversion is conducted by the State Rapid Response team and provides employer outreach and strategies prior to a layoff, or when a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) is received. The Rapid Response team will work with employers to identify employment needs, coordinate partner agency activities, and offer information on available public and private resources for workers who are affected by a layoff.
  • Reemployment Assistance If you are looking for employment opportunities, WorkForce can provide information on available assistance to help job seekers with a successful job search. WorkForceWV can connect job seekers to employers, identify job resources, determine career interests, promote training options, and offer resume assistance. Services are free to all job seekers.
  • EMPOWER WV– EMPOWER WV is a WorkForceWV Employment Services program focused on assisting Youth who have no career or training aspirations after high school graduation. EMPOWER WV provides mentoring and individually guided, innovative pathways to education and employment. For more information on the EMPOWER WV program services and opportunities, please email empowerwv@wv.gov or call 304-558-5050.
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance Programs- Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) helps people who became unemployed due to layoffs as a result of foreign imports or a shift of production out of the United States.
  • LVER/DVOPS- Veterans and eligible persons meeting eligibility requirements may be referred to specific veterans’ program staff for specialized services. Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPS) are responsible for providing intensive services to qualified veterans at the WorkForce center or itinerant site with a goal of long term sustainable employment of the veteran. Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) conduct outreach to employer and employer groups such as business, industry, and other community-based organizations by serving as an advocate for the hiring of veterans.

WARN Notices

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, Public Law 100-379 (29 U.S.C. 2101 et. seq.)

Who is affected by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act?

Employers with 100 or more full-time workers and the employer deems it necessary to do any of the following: Close a facility or discontinue an operating unit with 50 or more full-time workers; Lay off 50-499 full-time workers (and these workers comprise at least 33% of the total work force at a single site of employment) or, layoff 500 or more full-time workers at a single site of employment.

You can download a list of current WARN notices here.


Interagency Collaborative Team

The Interagency Collaborative Team (ICT) serves as the state’s source for addressing issues or concerns related to building and maintaining the most effective and efficient implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the overall workforce development system in West Virginia.

2023 MEETING DATES

  • March 23, 2023 
  • April 27, 2023
  • May 25, 2023
  • June 22, 2023
  • July 27, 2023
  • August 24, 2023
  • September 28, 2023
  • October 26, 2023
  • November 16, 2023
  • December 14, 2023

State Workforce Development Board

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 requires Governors to establish a State Workforce Development Board to assist in the development of a state plan that will enhance the capacity and performance of the workforce development system; align and improve the workforce programs and investments; and promote economic growth.

The State Board is to assist the Governor in achieving the State’s strategic and operational vision and goals as outlined in the State Plan. The State Plan is to include:

  • Strategic Functions
    • Develop and Implement state plans and performance measures
    • Develop career pathway strategies
    • Develop and expand strategies for partnerships in in-demand sectors/occupations
    • Develop and align policies
  • System Alignment and Effective Operations
    • Develop strategies for aligning technology and data systems
    • Develop local area allocation formulas
    • Develop a statewide LMI (Labor Market Information) System
    • Develop policies and guidance on One-Stop partner roles and resource contributions
  • Building System Capacity
    • Develop strategies to support staff training and awareness
    • Disseminate best practices
    • Develop and continue improving the One-Stop delivery system
    • Support effective local boards

Meeting dates for 2023:

  • March 22, 2023 
  • June 21, 2023 
  • September 20, 2023 
  • December 13, 2023

The Board meets quarterly in Charleston from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of July 2014 replaces the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. WIOA provides the opportunity for the public workforce system to change and improve life for job seekers and workers, through the American Job Center (AJC) system. WIOA allows job seekers and their many, varied talents to connect with businesses in need of those talents.

WIOA especially concentrates on aligning workforce training with the skills needed for employment possibilities. Trained workers are matched with employers in need of their skills. WIOA also promotes work-based training and has on-the-job training reimbursement rates up to 75%. It is also a goal for this training to provide the participant with a certificate or credentials that the job industry will accept as proof of a qualified worker. Both job seekers and employers will benefit from this coordinated effort that exhibits “supply” (job seekers) and “demand” (employers).

WIOA makes more comprehensive services readily available. This system is intended to make it easier for individuals to access the tools and get the training they need to manage their careers. The system is also intended to help companies find the skilled workers they need to manage, compete, and succeed in today’s business world.


Agricultural Services Plans

The Agricultural Services Plan sets policies, and objectives in providing WPA services to the agricultural community, specifically Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs). The EDD-WSB provides these services through the One-Stop system ensuring that MSFWs receive the full range of employment, training, and educational services on a basis that is qualitatively equivalent and quantitatively proportionate to services provided to non-MSFWs.

Plans present the following information:

  • Assessment of need: A review of the previous year’s agricultural, MSFW activity in the state, and projected levels of agricultural and MSFW activity in the coming year.
  • Outreach activities: A review of the resources available for MSFW outreach and description of outreach efforts to be provided to MSFWs.
  • Services provided to MSFWs through the One-Stop system: A description of ways the state will ensure that MSFWs have equal access to employment opportunities.
  • Services provided to agricultural employers through the One-Stop system: A description of how the state will promote and provide labor exchange services and identify agricultural employers expected to employ MSFWs.

Performance Levels

Under section 116(b)(2)(A) of WIOA, there are six primary indicators of performance:

A. Employment Rate – 2nd Quarter After Exit: The percentage of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program (for title I Youth, the indicator is the percentage of participants in education or training activities, or in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit);

B. Employment Rate – 4th Quarter After Exit: The percentage of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program (for title I Youth, the indicator is the percentage of participants in education or training activities, or in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit);

C. Median Earnings – 2nd Quarter After Exit: The median earnings of participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program;

D. Credential Attainment: The percentage of those participants enrolled in an education or training program (excluding those in on-the-job training (OJT) and customized training) who attain a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma, or its recognized equivalent, during participation in or within one year after exit from the program. A participant who has attained a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent is included in the percentage of participants who have attained a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent only if the participant also is employed or is enrolled in an education or training program leading to a recognized postsecondary credential within one year after exit from the program;

E. Measurable Skill Gains: The percentage of program participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains, defined as documented academic, technical, occupational, or other forms of progress, towards such a credential or employment. Depending on the type of education or training program, documented progress is defined as one of the following:

  1. Documented achievement of at least one educational functioning level of a participant who is receiving instruction below the postsecondary education level;
  2. Documented attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
  3. Secondary or postsecondary transcript or report card for a sufficient number of credit hours that shows a participant is meeting the State unit’s academic standards;
  4. Satisfactory or better progress report, towards established milestones, such as completion of OJT or completion of one year of an apprenticeship program or similar milestones, from an employer or training provider who is providing training; or
  5. Successful passage of an exam that is required for a particular occupation or progress in attaining technical or occupational skills as evidenced by trade-related benchmarks such as knowledge-based exams.

F. Effectiveness in Serving Employers: WIOA sec. 116 (b)(2)(A)(i)(VI) requires the Departments to establish a primary indicator of performance for effectiveness in serving employers. The Departments are piloting three approaches designed to gauge three critical workforce needs of the business community. 

  • 1. Approach 1-Retention with the Same Employer-addresses the programs’ efforts to provide employers with skilled workers;
  • 2. Approach 2-Repeat Business Customers-address the programs’ efforts to provide quality engagement and services to employers and sectors and establish productive relationships with employers and sectors over extended periods of time; and
  • 3. Approach 3-Employer Penetration Rate-addresses the programs’ efforts to provide quality engagement and services to all employers and sectors within a State and local economy.

Since this indicator is a new approach for measuring performance under WIOA’s six core programs, the Departments have implemented a pilot program during which States must select two of the three approaches to report data that the Departments will use to assess a permanent indicator.

WFWV selected the ‘Retention with Same Employer’ (Approach 1) and ‘Repeat Business Customer’ (Approach 2) to measure Effectiveness in Serving Employers. For Approach 2, points were awarded to each employer service based on the degree of intensity. Services with the highest point level equate to a deeper level of long-term relationship building with an employer.

These primary indicators of performance apply to all six core programs, except that the indicators for credential attainment and measurable skill gains do not apply to the Title III Employment Service program.