CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey announced today that the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education (WVCCTCE) has secured a landmark $15 million federal Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) grant to expand educational access and career training opportunities for adult learners across the Mountain State. Providing $3 million annually over five years, the award represents the largest EOC grant in the nation.
"This historic $15 million investment marks a transformative milestone for West Virginia’s workforce and economy," said Governor Patrick Morrisey. "By connecting our residents directly to career training, industry-recognized credentials, and higher education, we are removing barriers to employment and strengthening our state’s talent pipeline. West Virginia is leading the nation in delivering real opportunities to our people, and this grant ensures that every adult seeking to build a better life has the tools and support to succeed."
The grant funds the statewide WV READY Educational Opportunity Centers (WV READY EOC) initiative, a collaborative project spanning all 55 counties and uniting all nine of West Virginia’s community and technical colleges including Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, BridgeValley Community and Technical College, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Mountwest Community and Technical College, New River Community and Technical College, Pierpont Community and Technical College, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, West Virginia Northern Community College, and West Virginia University at Parkersburg.
Designed to serve adults ages 19 and older, out-of-school youth, veterans, low-income residents, and first-generation students, WV READY EOC delivers tailored guidance to streamline postsecondary enrollment, pre-apprenticeships, and Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
The initiative delivers critical individual support, including admissions coaching, high school diploma/equivalency completion assistance, financial literacy programs, and FAFSA completion aid. Key project benchmarks include targeting a 65% FAFSA completion rate and a 55% postsecondary or apprenticeship enrollment rate among participants.
"At the end of the day, this is an investment in our people and our communities," said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System. "We’re honored to receive the largest EOC award in the nation, and we’re ready to work creating life-changing opportunities across our state. Through this grant, thousands of West Virginians will have access to the support and guidance they need to overcome obstacles and reach their goals."