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Bill

HB 5677

To create the Career Pipeline for Coalfield Counties Act.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Campbell and 4 co-sponsors

Creates the Coalfield Career Pipeline Program to expand workforce training via mobile CTE, paid apprenticeships, and credentials in priority trades.

To House Education
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Bill Summary · HB 5677

Legislative Bill Summary: HB 5677 (2026) – West Virginia

Title

To create the Career Pipeline for Coalfield Counties Act

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes the Coalfield Career Pipeline Program within the state’s education framework to expand workforce training in coalfield counties.
  • Aims to enhance career and technical education (CTE) opportunities and partnerships to meet local labor market needs in coal mining regions and surrounding areas.

Key Provisions

  • Program Creation

    • Establishes the Coalfield Career Pipeline Program as a new initiative under the jurisdiction of the West Virginia State Board of Education (referenced as §18-2-47).

  • Authorized Uses and Activities

    • Funds and supports various workforce development activities, including:
    • Mobile Career and Technical Education (CTE) units to reach students in remote or rural areas.
    • Paid apprenticeships to provide hands-on, paid work-based learning.
    • Certification programs to validate competencies and credentials.
    • Partnerships with local employers to align training with job opportunities.

  • Priority Industries

    • Focus areas for training and program emphasis include:
    • Commercial driver licensing (CDL)
    • Diesel and heavy equipment mechanics
    • Healthcare occupations
    • Information technology (IT)
    • Electrical trades
    • Construction
    • Emerging energy trades

  • Collaborative Preference

    • Gives preference to multi-agency applications that leverage collaboration among:
    • Boards of education
    • Workforce development boards
    • Economic development authorities
    • County commissions
    • Regional planning and development councils

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Educational Entities

    • Local boards of education and the State Board of Education would implement and administer the program.

  • Workforce and Economic Development Partners

    • Workforce development boards, economic development authorities, county governments, and regional planning and development councils would be encouraged to participate and partner.

  • Students and Workers

    • Students in coalfield counties would gain access to mobile CTE, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentials.
    • W orkforce participants could receive paid apprenticeship opportunities and targeted training in the priority industries.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative Status

    • Introduced February 17, 2026; referred to the House Committee on Education.
    • House sponsors include Delegates Toney, Dittman, Campbell, Cooper, Roop, with co-sponsors Dittman, Campbell, Roop, Toney, and Cooper.

  • Implementation Details

    • The bill outlines the establishment and authority of the program but does not include explicit funding amounts or budgetary provisions in the text provided.
    • Details such as application processes, grant criteria, funding cycles, reporting requirements, or evaluation metrics are not specified in the available text.

Potential Impact

  • Workforce Development

    • Could broaden access to skilled trades and technical careers in coalfield regions, addressing local labor market needs and potential employer demand.
    • May improve attainment of industry-recognized credentials and expand paid work-based learning opportunities.

  • Economic and Community Benefits

    • By enabling collaboration among multiple regional and local entities, the program intends to streamline efforts and leverage resources across education and economic development sectors.
    • Focus on priority industries aligns training with in-demand occupations, potentially supporting regional economic diversification and resilience.

  • Implementation Considerations

    • Potential need for funding appropriations, Governor/agency allocations, and interagency coordination structures.
    • Success metrics would likely involve placement rates, credential attainment, and partner engagement, though not detailed in the current text.

Summary

HB 5677 proposes creating the Coalfield Career Pipeline Program to expand workforce training in West Virginia’s coalfield counties through mobile CTE, paid apprenticeships, and industry-aligned certification, prioritizing CDL, diesel/heavy equipment mechanics, healthcare, IT, electrical, construction, and emerging energy trades. The bill emphasizes multi-agency collaboration and would be administered under the State Board of Education, with implementation contingent on future funding and program design details not specified in the current text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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