CHARLESTON, W.Va. – With artificial intelligence (AI) job openings in the U.S. projected to grow into the hundreds of thousands over the next decade — and industries from healthcare to advanced manufacturing urgently seeking skilled workers — West Virginia’s community and technical colleges are stepping up to meet the demand. Partnering with major employers such as IBM and Northrop Grumman, the colleges are launching new training programs that give students the skills to succeed in the state’s fastest-growing fields.
The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education recently approved Technical Program Development Grant awards totaling more than $1.04 million for five programs that directly support in-state employers. Among them is Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s new Applied Artificial Intelligence certificate program, based in Moorefield, which received $169,440 in funding. Developed with strong backing from IBM and Northrop Grumman, the fully online program will train students in machine learning, data analysis, and AI applications — skills increasingly essential in healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and defense sectors. With these global companies helping to shape curriculum, graduates will leave with the qualifications needed to step directly into high-tech careers.
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