Statewide Campaign Aims
to Educate Students About
Manufacturing Industry
Representatives of Explore the New
Manufacturing, a statewide manufacturing
education campaign, gave presentations
at middle schools throughout the state
this past school year, educating students
and teachers about the manufacturing
industry in West Virginia.
The West Virginia Manufacturers As-
sociation Educational Fund (WVMAEF),
a program of the West Virginia Manufac-
turers Association (WVMA), launched the
campaign in 2015 to create awareness
about the state’s thriving industry—made
up of more than 1,100 companies and
55,000 employees—and spark student
interest in the field.
“It’s important for students to learn
about the industry and how it impacts
West Virginia’s economy,” says Rebecca
McPhail, WVMA president. “There are
several educational options for high school
graduates who want to pursue careers in
manufacturing. Some students won’t attend
a four-year college or university, and they
don’t have to in order to get a great-paying
job right here at home. We want to be sure
they are aware of these opportunities at an
earlier age so if they’re interested, they can
best prepare in high school.”
Explore the New Manufacturing
campaign representatives have present-
ed to more than 4,000 students and 500
teachers, principals and administrators
throughout West Virginia since the cam-
paign’s inception. They also participate
in career fairs and industry-related and
STEM-focused activities and events.
Southern West Virginia Moves
Forward with Building a FABLAB
A network of more than 100 local
business owners called REBUILD.REVIVE.
THRIVE. has partnered with the Center
for Applied Research and Technology and
the City of Bluefield on a groundbreak-
ing project to create a regional FABLAB.
FABLABs provide widespread access
to modern means for invention. They
began as an outreach project from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s
Center for Bits and Atoms. The FABLAB
will provide access to the hardware and
software needed to make almost anything,
positively impacting the Bluefield com-
munity by creating job opportunities,
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resources for entrepreneurs and career
retraining.
“Through this initiative, we will be
working to increase the quality labor
supply—West Virginia is currently last
in the nation in this category—and give
marketable skills to a community with
only 19.6 percent college attainment,”
says Travis Lowe, pastor and founder of
REBUILD.REVIVE.THRIVE.
The FABLAB will operate out of the
Commercialization Station, a new man-
ufacturing incubator being developed
by the City of Bluefield. Plans are being
made to offer the lab as a training center
for local middle schools, high schools and
colleges. It will also offer classes for adults
interested in being trained in a new field
and as a training site for local business-
es. The FABLAB plans to open its doors
this summer.
RCBI Recognized as National
Apprenticeship Leader
The Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) has
been recognized for its innovative work-
force development effort that focuses on
registered apprenticeships.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
awarded RCBI the ApprenticeshipUSA
Leader designation for developing and
delivering apprenticeship education that
meets the needs of employers and em-
ployees. This acknowledgement places
RCBI in the top ranks of more than 160
businesses, educational institutions and
labor organizations from across the U.S.
that emphasize the value of apprentice-
ships and encourage greater adoption of
the workforce strategy.
“This recognition highlights the role
RCBI plays in educating workers and
our extreme dedication to changing West
Virginia’s manufacturing landscape,” says
Charlotte Weber, RCBI director and CEO.
“We’re pleased that our innovative model
is contributing to a resurgent industry that
continues to drive our economy.”
RCBI is home to Apprenticeship Works,
the National Advanced Manufacturing
Apprenticeship Partnership. Working
with organizations and businesses across
the country, Apprenticeship Works makes
apprenticeship programs more affordable
and more accessible.
“RCBI is proud to be named an Appren-
ticeshipUSA Leader,” says Lucinda Curry,
director of Apprenticeship Works. “Each
day, we see the value of apprenticeships in