West Virginia HB2190: Including Potomac State College in the definition of community and technical college education program for participation in the “Learn and Earn Program”

What the bill says

To amend and reenact §18B-3D-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to adding Potomac State College of West Virginia University as an eligible institution for participation in the "Learn and Earn Program"; and removing reference to the program being a "pilot" program. ARTICLE 3D. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. §18B-3D-6. Learn and Earn Cooperative Education Program established. (a) Legislative findings. (1) The Legislature finds that many West Virginians cannot enroll full-time in a community and technical college technical program because circumstances require th.

From the engrossed text, February 12, 2025:

A BILL to amend and reenact §18B-3D-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to adding Potomac State College of West Virginia University as an eligible institution for participation in the "Learn and Earn Program"; and removing reference to the program being a "pilot" program. ARTICLE 3D. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. §18B-3D-6. Learn and Earn Cooperative Education Program established. (a) Legislative findings. (1) The Legislature finds that many West Virginians cannot enroll full-time in a community and technical college technical program because circumstances require them to maintain full-time employment. It is critically important that technical programs leading to high-wage occupations be more accessible and affordable for all West Virginians. (2) The Legislature further finds that cooperative education programs are successful in providing access to these technical programs while providing students enrolled full-time in a community and technical college with the financial benefits they need to continue their education. These cooperative education programs provide opportunities for students to work with West Virginia companies while in college, thus increasing the likelihood that they will complete the program, find gainful employment and choose to remain in West Virginia upon graduation. They provide students with hands-on, real world work experience with a salary while they complete a technical program of study and, at the same time, provide employers with a cost-effective tool …