Keith J. Cotroneo: Mountwest invests in business, industry

By developing local partnerships, Mountwest Community and Technical College responds to our community's workforce needs to foster continued economic growth and improved quality of life in our area. Mountwest invests in student success and community prosperity by promoting community involvement, developing partnerships, responding to community needs, and fostering collaboration. A recent economic impact study, conducted by EMSI, a leading market analytics firm, estimated Mountwest's contribution to the region at $102 million annually.

Through numerous partnerships like NewForce and the Coalfield Development Corporation, Mountwest provides area residents with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successfully employed in the local business and industry.

By joining forces with Core10, Generation West Virginia, along with other partners, we created the NewForce academy, a tuition-free learning experience resulting in a highly skilled workforce that area companies want to hire. Our aim is to eliminate barriers to a new career in high tech, especially for those who previously worked in declining industries.

This innovative model will quickly increase the area's trained workforce in software programming which will draw new employers to the area to offset West Virginia's declining population. Such opportunities will enhance the state's ability to become an ideal destination for young talent.

The NewForce intensive six-month curriculum makes it possible for participants to work together, receive mentorship, graduate with in-demand software development skills, and interview for jobs with the program's employer partners.

Continue reading the Herold-Dispatch article, by Dr. Keith Cotroneo, here.