Senate OKs 'Recharge West Virginia' program to reimburse employers for upskilling

The West Virginia Senate passed House Bill 4,004, the Recharge West Virginia Act, which establishes a program to reimburse qualifying employers who train or upskill current employees that obtain a qualifying credential and receive a qualifying wage increase.

The junior senator from the 16th, sponsor on the floor, said awards are limited to no more than $10,000 per employee and total awards to a qualifying employer are capped at $100,000 per fiscal year. The bill requires a preliminary award and grant agreement; after the employee obtains the credential and meets the wage increase and other conditions, the division of economic development grants the reimbursement. Employers must keep training and payroll records for at least five years and provide them on request.

The bill passed on a recorded vote (33 yays, 1 nay) and later the Senate voted to make the bill effective from passage by the required supermajority (34 yays). The clerk will send the action to the House.

What it means: The program creates a state‑administered incentive for employer‑led upskilling tied to measurable wage outcomes; available funding is subject to appropriation by the legislature.