Bill > HB4004

This bill establishes the Recharge West Virginia Program, which will be administered by the Division of Economic Development to reimburse qualifying employers for costs associated with providing upskilling training to their eligible employees. Upskilling training is defined as specialized technical training to enhance employee skills for job retention or advancement, and an eligible employee must have resided in West Virginia for six months and been employed full-time for the same period. Qualifying employers, which are businesses registered in West Virginia and compliant with unemployment compensation laws (but not public bodies), can receive reimbursement for training that leads to an "upskill credential" (an industry-recognized certification) and a "qualifying wage increase," meaning the employee's new wage is at least 25% higher than their base wage and above the state's average weekly wage. There are limits on reimbursement, with a maximum of $10,000 per employee and $50,000 per employer annually, and employers must not seek reimbursement for the same training costs from other state programs. The Division will establish application procedures, evaluation criteria based on pledged wage increases, regional economic distress, employer contributions, and past program performance, and will require employers to enter into training agreements and maintain detailed records for at least five years, with certain information protected from public disclosure.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4004&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill