Coalfield Development and Partners Expand Workforce Training in Appalachia
Huntington, West Virginia, February 10, 2025 – Coalfield Development, a non-profit organization based in Wayne County, West Virginia dedicated to community, economic, and workforce development, is excited to announce two upcoming training sessions to equip local residents with entry-level skillsets to access skilled labor employment opportunities in the region, including jobs in new, emerging industries.
To meet employer demand for a skilled workforce, Coalfield Development is deploying its PATH (Professional Accelerated Training & Hiring) Program to the region, designed to train and connect tri-state residents to job opportunities with local contractor businesses, unions, and other physical-labor related employers. These types of employers are frequently hired to handle important roles in multi-discipline projects. The roles these employers handle can involve electrical work, heavy equipment operation, and other general construction skills. By providing entry-level training in these disciplines to residents and connecting them with local employers, Coalfield’s PATH Program supports the economic benefits of projects remaining within the community beyond any singular project term.
What is the PATH Program?
The PATH Program is a five-week, fast-track training initiative designed to address
workforce needs for roles with local employers in construction and related fields.
Participants gain entry-level:
• Industry Certifications: Including OSHA-10, First Aid CPR AED, and more.
• Applied Learning: Hands-on experience with tools and equipment used on the job, sometimes including simulators.
• Professional Development: Resume building, interview preparation, and more.
• Support Services: Help navigating programs that may be available to assist participants, such as SNAP, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and more.
Training Highlights
• No Cost: Free for all participants.
• Stipends: Paid stipends of $75 per day reduce financial barriers to attendance.
• Accessibility: Designed for individuals overcoming employment barriers such as justice system involvement, substance use recovery, career transitions, or strained access to transportation and/or childcare.
Upcoming Training Sessions
Heavy Equipment Operation
o Dates: February 17, 2025 – March 21, 2025, Monday – Friday, 9AM-3PM
o Location: 103 Main Street, Kermit, WV 25674
o Registration: SOLD OUT
General Labor & Energy Technology
o Dates: March 3, 2025 – April 4, 2025, Monday – Friday, 9AM-3PM
o Location: Tek Center Inc., 104 E. Main St., Suite 100, Inez, KY 41224
o Registration: Registration opens February 12, 2025, at 9:00AM. This training can accommodate up to 20 participants.
To learn more, view additional events, and/or register for a PATH Program Training, visit Coalfield Development’s EventBrite at eventbrite.com/o/coalfield-development-corporation-59866018083
“Rebuilding the Appalachian Economy from the Ground Up.”
2923 PARK AVENUE | HUNTINGTON, WV 25704 | 304.501.4755 | coalfield-development.orgPartnerships to Prepare Our Region for Good Jobs
Coalfield Development is also proud to partner with Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) in expanding workforce development opportunities to Eastern Kentucky. Through this collaboration, the two organizations are helping residents access entry-level skills training, job placement services, and career pathways in both traditional and emerging industries. SOAR’s initiatives provide free digital literacy training, certifications, and job networking opportunities that align with Coalfield’s mission of equipping individuals with the skills needed for quality employment. By working together, Coalfield and SOAR are ensuring that Appalachia’s workforce is prepared for well-paying, locally available jobs without the need to relocate.
Coalfield Development has also joined forces with the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C) in Appalachian Kentucky to provide additional training opportunities for residents in preparation for good jobs in a variety of sectors. APPC2C is a place-based, people-centered initiative of Partners for Rural Impact, aligning K-12, technical training, and college education with workforce needs. APPC2C addresses critical issues like absenteeism, youth mental health, and access to resources. Collaborating with schools, community organizations, and workforce agencies, APPC2C creates career pathways for youth aged 16-24 and supports grant writing to secure resources.
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For more information about the PATH Program, training sessions, or how to connect with trainees as an employer, visit coalfield-development.org or contact Coalfield Development’s Community Impact Director, Josiah Hannah at josiah.hannah@coalfield-development.org.
About Coalfield Development
For more information, please contact:
Jess Toon
Manager of Strategic Communications
Coalfield Development
(681) 833-5431
Jtoon@coalfield-development.org
www.coalfield-development.org
“Rebuilding the Appalachian Economy from the Ground Up.”
