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Bill

SB 402

Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Woelfel

West Virginia establishes a state micro-credential program to certify outside-the-classroom skills, boosting workforce readiness and portable, verifiable credentials.

Chapter 293, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
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Bill Summary · SB 402

Overview

Senate Bill 402 (2026) establishes the West Virginia Micro-Credential Program within the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The program aims to recognize and standardize nontraditional, project-based, and experiential learning by issuing micro-credentials that verify specific skills and competencies. The bill was enacted and becomes effective 90 days after passage (June 12, 2026).

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a standardized, credible system for awarding micro-credentials to students and employees for skills learned inside or outside traditional classroom settings.
  • Improve workforce readiness and employability by providing verifiable, portable credentials that can be added to resumes and shared with schools and employers.
  • Support workforce development, particularly in manual labor and skilled trades, while also benefiting higher education institutions by integrating micro-credentials into degree programs.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment: The West Virginia Micro-Credential Program is created within the WV Higher Education Policy Commission.
  • Program responsibilities (to be developed by the Chancellor or designee):
    • Standards and procedures for identifying appropriate subjects/skills for micro-credentialing and for demonstrating mastery to obtain a credential.
    • Standards and procedures for designing micro-credentials, including validation, storage, access, and maintenance.
    • Standards and procedures for the platform used to create, maintain, access, and share micro-credentials.
    • Standards and procedures for determining which entities may store and maintain credential records, and protocols to protect security and user control over access.
    • Standards and procedures for verifying completion of micro-credentials and demonstrating measurable improvements in workforce participation and earnings.
    • Assistance to higher education institutions to implement high-quality, transparent micro-credential offerings that align with workforce needs, including capacity building in needs assessment, program development, marketing, student supports, documentation, and ongoing improvement.
  • Coordination and implementation (Broad authority given to the Commission):
    • Coordinate with the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Professional Charter School Board, Council for Community and Technical College Education, higher education institutions, and employers to develop joint criteria, curriculum, competencies, assessments, and credits for specific micro-credentials.
    • Contract with education experts and service providers to consult on and develop the program or specific credentials.
    • Prioritize micro-credentials for manual labor and skilled trades (construction, manufacturing, energy sectors).
    • Allow use of digital, web-based, AI-based, hands-on, or on-the-job credentials as needed to meet workforce demands.
    • Engage with the Department of Commerce, employers, and industry representatives to ensure credentials respond to local and regional needs.
  • Flexibility for rules: The Commission may propose rules under the state’s Administrative Procedures Act to implement the program.

Who would be affected

  • State institutions of higher education and nontraditional learners (students, adults) seeking recognized credentials for skills gained outside traditional coursework.
  • Employers and industry partners in West Virginia seeking verifiable evidence of candidate skills.
  • K-12 educational entities, charter schools, and workforce development programs collaborating with higher education.
  • State agencies (notably the WV Department of Commerce and Department of Education) through coordinated efforts and potential credential alignment with economic needs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enactment and effectiveness: The act is approved and becomes effective 90 days after passage (i.e., around June 12, 2026).
  • Implementation timeline: The Chancellor or designee leads development and administration of the program, including standards, platform, credential validation, and cross-agency coordination. Rules may be proposed under the standard WV rulemaking process as needed.
  • Governance: The WV Higher Education Policy Commission has primary authority to develop, oversee, and implement the Micro-Credential Program, with ongoing collaboration among state agencies, higher education institutions, and industry partners.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes security and student control over credential records, ensuring privacy and portability.
  • It prioritizes practical, workforce-aligned credentials, with a focus on jobs in construction, manufacturing, and energy, while supporting broader higher education integration.

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

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