Including Potomac State College in the definition of community and technical college education program for participation in the “Learn and Earn Program”
Summary
HB2190 amends West Virginia’s Workforce Development Initiative law to make Potomac State College of West Virginia University eligible to participate in the state’s “Learn and Earn Program.” The program is a cooperative education model that combines technical education with paid work experience, allowing students to earn wages while completing a program of study. The bill also removes language describing the program as a “pilot,” signaling a shift from a temporary test phase toward a more permanent part of the state’s workforce development framework.
Under the bill, eligible institutions may apply for program grants in partnership with employer sponsors, and participating employers must provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match for student wages; in-kind contributions cannot substitute for the required cash match. The bill keeps the existing structure of the program intact while expanding access to another institution that can participate alongside community and technical colleges. The council overseeing the program retains authority over rules, application procedures, and use of Workforce Development Initiative funds.
Impact
The bill amends §18B-3D-6 of the West Virginia Code by broadening eligibility for the Learn and Earn Program to include Potomac State College of WVU and by deleting the statutory reference to the program as a pilot. This affects the administration of the Workforce Development Initiative, the Higher Education policy framework, participating colleges, employer partners, and students enrolled in technical or workforce-oriented programs. It may increase the number of students able to access paid cooperative education opportunities and expand the pool of institutions that can seek grants under the program.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received favorably overall. It passed the House overwhelmingly by a vote of 93-3, suggesting broad bipartisan support for expanding workforce training opportunities and for making the program more permanent. The bill text itself emphasizes affordability, employability, and retention of graduates in West Virginia, which aligns with generally positive legislative goals around workforce development and higher education access.
Contention
The main policy issue is not whether the program should exist, but how far it should be expanded and whether Potomac State College should continue to be treated differently from community and technical colleges. The bill removes the pilot-program limitation, which may have raised questions about whether the council should continue to evaluate results before permanent inclusion. Any opposition likely centers on program scope, oversight, and the use of Workforce Development Initiative funds, though the recorded vote indicates little visible resistance in the House.