With successful associate degrees in areas such as agriculture and nursing, WVU Potomac State College has long enjoyed a rich history and healthy reputation for placing students in careers during and right after their college education is complete. Now, some PSC students will be able to kickstart their careers and earn money and college credits while simultaneously learning valuable skills, training, networking, and getting a head start in an ever-changing and competitive job market.
Through the Learn & Earn program, regional employers are able to develop their workforce as they partner to mentor and train students from colleges throughout West Virginia, including Potomac State College.
West Virginia's Learn & Earn is a state-funded program where students can gain paid, hands-on work experience while pursuing an associate’s degree. Students are paid at least $15/hour, while the state reimburses employers for 50% of the intern's base wages.
When the West Virginia legislature approved Potomac State to join the program this year, it created more opportunities to bolster the regional workforce as it made college more affordable for students. This initiative allows local students in the Keyser area to access state-subsidized, paid co-ops and technical internships, which may lead to immediate employment after graduation if the student is a good fit for the company. Currently, more than 90 % of Learn & Earn participants have been offered jobs at their internship site.
"To me, the real benefit West Virginians get from a program like Learn & Earn is that they’re no longer forced to choose between furthering their education and working full-time to support their families,” said WV Senate President Lt. Governor Randy E. Smith. “Our community and technical colleges can provide training and skills that lead to high-paying jobs, and students can get hands-on, real-world experience while they complete their education and continue to work at the same time. It’s a win for both employers and students, and I’m thrilled Potomac State College is on board."
Potomac State College President Dr. Jerry Wallace said that placing students in local businesses “will strengthen the relationship between PSC and our workforce community.”
Wallace believes that employers would welcome the opportunity to “help mold students into awesome potential employees” through this program. He noted that the College’s commitment to practical, hands-on education coupled with real-world experiences ensures graduates are positioned as industry-ready professionals who can thrive in their careers and contribute to their communities.
The Learn & Earn program aligns with the College’s emphasis on experiential learning, with a commitment to college affordability and paid work-based learning experiences. It also serves as a powerful way to retain local talent in the community.
For some students, the work-based learning program builds upon the heritage of Potomac State by further incentivizing real-world learning as a means to adapt and prepare for an ever-evolving job market. This program allows students to continue that tradition by entering their chosen professions a little earlier and while still officially enrolled at PSC.
WVU Board of Governors member and farming leader Terry Hauser (PSC ‘86 Agriculture Technology, WVU ‘88 Agriculture Education) noted that the program aligns with the mission of the 125-year-old College.
“Potomac State had a long history of providing hands-on learning through the employment of students to run their dairy and livestock farms,” he said, noting that this was his own experience when he was a student. “Along with many of my college friends, we were able to offset college expenses through our daily work on a fully operational Grade A dairy farm and complementary livestock operation. The farms provided valuable lab opportunities, and the students provided an economical workforce to get the cows milked and the livestock cared for. Students in the Ag program graduated with real-world experience and were very marketable in the workplace.”
Dr. Wallace is actively engaging with prospective regional employers to partner with the program to economically address current needs as they build their skilled workforce. He added that the opportunity also helps students discern if an initial career field is the right fit for them.
“In some cases, Learn & Earn may allow a student to realize this may not be the career path they want before they have invested in a degree they may never use,” he said.
Interested employers who want to partner in the program should reach out to LearnAndEarn@wvu.edu to get started. Regional employers are also invited to the Mineral County Chamber Business After Hours event on October 1 at 5 pm in the Davis Conference Center to learn more about the program.