Key Takeaways
- Senator Shelley Moore Capito visited West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Innovation and Technology Center to tour the new facility and learn about its learning opportunities.
- The facility received federal funding, which was used to install new windows and doors, and will be completed in approximately two years.
- Capito emphasized the importance of staying current with technology and highlighted the variety of classes offered at the facility, including cyber security, internet connectivity, and computer science.
- The university offers a range of two- and four-year degrees that can make a local impact, and is working with the business community to meet workforce needs.
- The campus has undergone significant improvements, including the installation of dormitories, and plans to create a community of homes, transportation, childcare, and retail options.
Introduction to the Visit
Senator Shelley Moore Capito recently visited West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Innovation and Technology Center, where she was given a tour of the new facility. The center, which received federal funding, offers a range of learning opportunities, including short-term and long-term programs. Capito was impressed by the variety of classes available, which include maintenance, software development, and other technology-related fields. She highlighted the importance of staying current with technology, citing the need for skills in areas such as cyber security, internet connectivity, and computer science.
Future Workforce Development
Capito spoke about the importance of preparing students for the jobs of the future, emphasizing the need for a skilled workforce in areas such as technology and computer science. She noted that the facility’s programs can provide students with the training they need to secure jobs in these fields, both locally and elsewhere. By providing students with the skills they need to succeed, the facility can help to drive economic growth and development in the region. Capito also highlighted the variety of classes offered at the facility, which range from maintenance to software development, and noted that these programs can be completed locally, making it more likely that graduates will stay in the area.
Campus Improvements and Timeline
The campus is expected to be closer to completion in approximately two years, with significant improvements already made, including the installation of 400 new windows and 32 new doors. Capito was impressed by the progress made so far and expressed her enthusiasm for the project’s potential. WVUP President Dr. Torie Jackson was glad to have the opportunity to show Capito how the federal funding dollars were being used, and noted that the facility’s programs are designed to meet the needs of local businesses and industries. The campus now has dormitories for students to live on campus, and Jackson plans to work with area businesses to create a community of homes, transportation, childcare, and retail options.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
The university is working closely with the local business community to ensure that its programs meet the needs of employers and provide students with the skills they need to succeed. Capito highlighted the importance of this partnership, noting that it can help to drive economic growth and development in the region. By working together, the university and local businesses can help to create a skilled and talented workforce, which can in turn attract new businesses and industries to the area. The facility’s programs are designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the local economy, with a range of classes and training opportunities available to meet the needs of different industries and sectors.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s visit to West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Innovation and Technology Center highlighted the importance of investing in education and workforce development. The facility’s programs are designed to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing economy, and its partnership with local businesses can help to drive economic growth and development in the region. With the campus expected to be completed in approximately two years, the future looks bright for the facility and its students. As Capito noted, the facility has the potential to make a significant impact on the local economy, and its programs can help to create a skilled and talented workforce that can drive growth and development in the region.
