CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey today announced that participants in West Virginia's Tourism Works program have earned more than 25,000 microcredentials and 1,000 college credit hours since the program launched last year. More than 4,000 West Virginians have enrolled in the free online workforce training program.
“West Virginia's tourism industry is growing, creating jobs, and bringing people from across the country and around the world to the Mountain State,” said Governor Morrisey. “When we prepare people for good jobs and get more West Virginians into the workforce, our communities and our entire state become stronger.”
Tourism supports more than 70,000 jobs in West Virginia, accounting for one in 15 jobs statewide. With an estimated 21,000 tourism job openings each year, Tourism Works was created to help prepare West Virginians to take advantage of opportunities in the state's growing tourism industry.
Since March 2025, more than 4,000 West Virginians have enrolled in the program, including high school and college students, tourism educators, industry professionals, and residents interested in becoming ambassadors for their communities.
“Tourism Works is helping us build the workforce we need to keep that momentum going by giving thousands of West Virginians new skills and opportunities to succeed,” said Governor Morrisey. “More than 25,000 microcredentials earned in just over a year shows there is real interest in being part of this growing industry, and we want to turn that interest into more West Virginians working and building their futures right here at home.”
Tourism Works is a free online course consisting of 12 modules designed to equip West Virginians with the knowledge and skills to welcome visitors to the Mountain State. The program provides customer service and communication training applicable across a wide range of industries while preparing participants to serve as “Ask Me, I’m a Local” ambassadors in their communities.