West Virginia State University News November 12, 2012 WVSU conference to focus on West Virginia's changing workforce needs Contact: Dr. Donna M. Simon (304) 766-3363 dsimon@wvstateu.edu<mailto:dsimon@wvstateu.edu> WVSU conference to focus on West Virginia's changing workforce needs INSTITUTE, W.Va.-The changing needs of West Virginia's workforce is the focus of the inaugural Regional Workforce Development Conference Friday, Nov. 16, at West Virginia State University. Regional leaders of industry, business, education and policy will address issues relating to the state's changing workforce needs in a series of panel discussions focusing on the role of education in preparing the workforce of the future. Topics include Innovation and the Future, Manufacturing, Natural Resources and Mining, 2+2 Option-building with Community Colleges, Preparing for Graduate/Professional School, and Preparing for the Future. "This conference will address the questions facing West Virginia in this evolving economy," says Dr. Orlando F. McMeans, vice president for Research & Public Service at WVSU. "We'll tackle questions like how the education arena and employers can collaborate to yield a better educated and trained workforce." The panels will focus on strengthening collaborations between education and the state's leading industries, such as technology, manufacturing, natural resources and mining. Focus will be placed on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), forecasted to be among the largest employment need in years to come. Panellists include representatives from the Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia Manufacturers Association, Chemical Alliance Zone, West Virginia Coal Association, Appalachian Power, Charleston Area Alliance, Kanawha County Schools and several others. Made possible by funding from the National Science Foundation, the Regional Workforce Development Conference is cosponsored by West Virginia State University, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Area Alliance, West Virginia Manufacturers Association and TechConnect West Virginia. Visit www.wvstateu.edu<http://www.wvstateu.edu> for more information and an event schedule. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.