Charleston, WV, May 10, 2021 – The Explore the New Manufacturing Program, in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Education, announced the celebration of West Virginia Manufacturing Education Day.  The proclamation celebrates and recognizes students and educators across the Mountain State for their excellence and commitment to the next generation of workers in the manufacturing industry. 

“West Virginia is a regional leader in career and technical education (CTE), and we are tremendously proud of the 94 CTE and ACE manufacturing programs offered during the 2020-2021 school year,” State Superintendent of Schools W. Clayton Burch said. “By providing these educational opportunities to West Virginia students and through the celebration of Manufacturing Education Day, we hope to inspire the country’s next generation of talent to learn more about modern manufacturing.” 

ARKERSBURG - A teacher in the Wood County has been recognized by a state trade group.

Jared Voldness received an Outstanding Industry Educator Award in the high school division for dedication in the classroom in the Explore the New Manufacturing Program through the West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund.

Over the past three years, as the Explore the New Manufacturing Program has expanded to new regions, our team has worked with students and educators to increase the understanding of manufacturing across the state. We have been amazed by student talent and poise. The educators, who participate in our programs, are steadfast champions for their students, tirelessly seeking means to help them succeed in their personal career development. As a result, we decided it was imperative to celebrate these West Virginians, both locally and statewide, for their success and achievements.

Charleston, WV, April 12, 2021 – The West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund Inc. (WVMAEF) announced today the awarding of a $17,000 grant from the EQT Foundation to support the expansion of programming across the North Central West Virginia and the Mid- Ohio Valley regions. The grant will directly benefit middle and high school students from Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel counties by supporting interactive educational activities that create student awareness and excitement about manufacturing careers and the subsequent educational pathways toward those opportunities.

Charleston, WV, March 17, 2021 – Explore the New Manufacturing announced today the receipt of an $8,000 grant from Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia to support programming initiatives that will directly benefit students in the Metro Valley region, including Putnam, Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Mason counties. The gift will support interactive educational activities that create student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the subsequent educational pathways toward those opportunities.