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Category: Families

More Deaths Than Births In West Virginia

Young adults are the lifeblood of a state’s future—but what happens when that lifeblood runs dry?

It’s no secret that young people are leaving West Virginia. In fact, U.S. Census Bureau data confirms we’ve now lost a higher percentage of residents than any other state in the country. And with one of the highest numbers of elderly folks in the nation, we’ve ... Continue Reading »

Congressman David McKinley: “Out of town contractors don’t benefit this community.”

Transcript

“Out-of-town contractors don’t benefit this community, don’t pay into the local tax base. They go home when their project’s finished. “I want you to imagine work being done by local people depositing money in the local banks. That money stays here. It doesn’t go to Columbus, Houston, Guatemala, “The sooner we can restore prevailing wage rate across West Virginia I think the better ... Continue Reading »

The Step up for women program is helping to close the gender gap
In West Virginia, good-paying jobs are not plentiful. Add the gender wage gap that still exists for women overall, and the job market can look bleak for women in the Mountain State. The Step Up for Women Program from West Virginia’s Women Work organization aims to change that. Over this 12-week training course women learn the construction basics. And many SUFW program graduates continue their instruction through skilled construction ... Continue Reading »

Wage Stagnation in Nine Charts
West Virginia is going in the wrong direction like much of the country regarding wages and benefits. Our leaders need to value jobs that bring higher wages and good healthcare. Minimum wage jobs that don’t lift families out of poverty are not the solution. We need an economy that supports West Virginians who don’t just want to live in the Mountain State, but thrive. Learn more about wage ... Continue Reading »

Mountaineers Are Always Free

…or are they?

We all love and appreciate the natural beauty of West Virginia – especially our majestic mountains. We call ourselves the Mountain State. We sing about our West Virginia Hills and our Mountain Mama. We proclaim that Mountaineers Are Always Free. On the flip side, our mountains often present us with challenges. Sometimes getting from here to there can be difficult – especially in bad weather. We may ... Continue Reading »

Rural Hospitals Are in Crisis!

You Can Be Part of the Solution 

As of January 1, 2020, the rural hospital closure crisis has claimed 120 facilities across the nation over the past 10 years, according to a recent study released by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. Unfortunately, rural hospital closures are becoming increasingly common with 19 closures in 2019 alone. There are currently 1,844 rural hospitals in the U.S., so the closure of 120 of them over 10 years means ... Continue Reading »

Community Colleges and The Workforce Sustain Each Other

One Size Does Not Fit All

Community Colleges Offer Educational Options

The traditional four-year college experience isn’t for everyone. Some students aren’t yet set on a course of study, while others are looking for a more affordable education. Some choose career paths that require only a two-year degree, while others may choose to step right into the working world. Still others may use their ... Continue Reading »

What is Apprenticeship?

A Clear, Cost-free Path to a Great Future.

Words are funny. Most often we understand their meaning, but we might be challenged to specifically define them. We’ve all heard the word “apprenticeship,” but other than what we’ve seen about so-called apprentices on reality TV, few folks have any idea of what an actual apprenticeship entails or the benefits it provides.

Defining Apprenticeships as an ‘Earn ... Continue Reading »