CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the state faces hundreds of job cuts due to the sharp decline in the coal industry, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is encouraging West Virginia families to take advantage of training programs the state has to offer.
“If a miner doesn’t want to take advantage of it at least get your kids in there and get them a free college education or at least a two year degree at one of our community and technical colleges to give them a career where they can stay here,” Tomblin told MetroNews of programs like WorkForce West Virginia that provides citizens with job opportunities.
The staggering amount of job losses has driven people out of the state. The Boone County school system could cut 77 positions in the coming year. About 60 teachers or administrators and 17 service personnel all have jobs on the line.
“A lot of people have taught for 20, 30 years. That’s their livelihood and hopefully we can get jobs to replace the coal mining jobs down there,” Tomblin said. “Probably part of the state with the most need right now is southern West Virginia.”
The county has experienced a large drop in enrollment, losing 65 students between Dec. 1 and Jan. 6, according to school officials. Superintendent John Hudson announced last week he would recommend the cuts to the Boone County Board of Education by the end of the month.
Coal’s impact has also been felt statewide. State leaders have been working to fill a massive $354 million budget hole as a result of the decrease in coal severance tax revenue.
On Monday, the West Virginia Association of Counties met for a luncheon at Embassy Suites in Charleston to discuss statewide issues between county commissioners, prosecutors and other elected officials.
“The discussions they have are really good to see what other counties are doing with similar type problems,” the governor said.
Brenda Miller, president of WVAC, said the annual event allows them to hear ideas from all over the state.
“What we have going on in the northern part of the state and the different things in the southern part of the state we can actually exchange ideas and work together,” she said.