CHARLESTON, W.Va. — WorkForce West Virginia, the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, and the chemical company Chemours have reached a partnership to help more than 300 Chemours employees earn an associate degree by the fall of 2025.
West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Chemours are collaborating on a new incumbent worker training program for providing educational opportunities for hourly employees at the Wood County facility.
“By bringing all of these great entities together, we are creating a new and exciting pathway for hundreds of West Virginia workers to not only advance their education, but to advance their careers as well,” Gov. Jim Justice said Friday. “Every day, our goal is to make businesses excited about locating in West Virginia and to make people excited about working in West Virginia. This program accomplishes both of these goals. The caliber of people who apply to work at Chemours will go through the roof and the added education will improve everything about their operation, making this investment well worth it.”
The program will address production technicians, area maintenance technicians, electrical and instrumentation maintenance technicians and lab technicians.
“Chemours is honored to be a major employer in West Virginia and appreciates the tremendous partnership of the State of West Virginia, WVUP and our local community,” Chemours plant manager Nicole Newell said. “The value of increasing access to higher education is a win for everyone involved, especially when it helps to create greater career opportunities. Chemours and our employees are excited to get started on this new program.”
State officials anticipate the program will cost around $3.6 million. West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Chemours have secured $2.5 million for the effort; Chemours will cover $1 million for salaries. WorkForce West Virginia will provide the university with $1.2 million for purchasing equipment and supporting faculty. The West Virginia Community and Technical College System has approved a $376,956 start-up grant for equipment and facility costs.