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.

Charleston, WV, March 10, 2021 – The Explore the New Manufacturing Program announced today that nominations would be accepted for two distinguished awards, the Emerging Elite in Manufacturing Award and the Outstanding Industry Educator Award.

The Explore Program is seeking nominations for West Virginia high school students and educators who have exceled in career readiness fields, technical education, and STEM classes that focus on manufacturing careers. Nominations will also be accepted for middle schools that creatively engage students in career literacy programing.