Charleston, WV, August 9, 2021 – The West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund Inc. (WVMAEF) announced today the awarding of a $22,000 grant from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) to support the continuation and expansion of its Explore the New Manufacturing programming within Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Clay, Lincoln and Fayette counties. The purpose of this initiative is to increase interest in manufacturing careers among middle and high school students in West Virginia.

“TGKVF is excited to partner with the WVMA Educational Fund in support of the Explore the New Manufacturing program in our region. The Foundation is committed to building the skills of students to become productive and successful. Through programs like Explore the New Manufacturing, middle and high school youth will receive the education and guidance that prepares them for careers in promising economic sectors,” stated Dr. Michelle Foster, TGKVF President and CEO.

Parkersburg, WV, June 9, 2021 – Explore the New Manufacturing has announced the completion of a Manufacturing Innovation Challenge, which teamed six students from the Wood County Technical Center /Caperton Center for Applied Technologies and DuPont. The challenge required the students to develop an app that would increase employee efficiency by providing access to information related to the facility, products and their job roles. Mr. Jared Voldness, Pre-Engineering & Computer Science Instructor, served as the advisor to the student team for this effort.

Charleston, WV, June 8, 2021 – The West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund Inc. (WVMAEF) announced today the awarding of a $187,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to support the continuation and expansion of its Explore the New Manufacturing programming. The purpose of this initiative is to increase interest in manufacturing careers among middle and high school students in West Virginia.

CHARLESTON, W.Va (WDTV) - Monday is West Virginia Manufacturing Education Day, announced the Explore the New Manufacturing Program and the West Virginia Department of Education.

The proclamation is meant to celebrate and recognize students and educators across the state for their commitment to the next generation of workers in the manufacturing industry. The West Virginia Department of Education, the Explore the New Manufacturing Program, state manufacturers, and educators are working to strengthen manufacturing education programs to narrow the skills gap and guide West Virginia children into long-term careers in the manufacturing industry.