WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) announced Friday that Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College has been awarded a federal grant to develop advanced technical education programs for students looking to acquire the necessary skills to work in the mining industry.

“Opening doors to a college education and workforce training is essential to building a robust economy and ensuring a higher quality of life in southern West Virginia,” said Rahall. “Along with valuable work and life experiences, the formal credentials of a two- or four-year degree bring more opportunities closer at hand. Federal investments in education, especially workforce training, are essential to driving our State’s and Nation’s economy forward.”

Southern will receive $892,000 total funding over three years for its “Comprehensive Career Pathways and Programs in Coal Mining” project. Students enrolled in four academic programs — Electrical Engineering Technology, Mining Engineering, Mine Management, and Mine Technology — are offered academic and technical education and managerial skills development to meet the needs of the mining industry.

The funding was awarded by the National Science Foundation through its Division of Undergraduate Education, which provides federal investment in comprehensive approaches to strengthening STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education at two- and four-year colleges and universities by improving curricula, instruction, laboratories, infrastructure, assessment, diversity of students and faculty, and collaborations.