High Rocks thanks Sens. Jim Justice and Shelley Moore Capito for support of rural workforce investment in first round of congressional earmarks

PRESS RELEASE

HILLSBORO, W.Va. — High Rocks Educational Corporation today expressed its deep gratitude to Senators Jim Justice and Shelley Moore Capito for including High Rocks in their FY27 workforce development and funding priorities through the first round of congressional earmark funding requests.

The proposed earmark investment would support the High Rocks Rural Workforce Initiative, a statewide effort to expand paid internships, earn-and-learn opportunities, and registered apprenticeships that connect West Virginians to career-relevant work experience while strengthening employer capacity across rural communities.

“Senators Justice and Capito send a powerful message that West Virginia’s young people and rural workforce matter,” said High Rocks Educational Corporation Executive Director Sarah Riley. “This investment helps create opportunities for talented young people to build their futures here in West Virginia. We are grateful for their continued support of the Mountain State and its communities.”

West Virginia communities continue to face persistent workforce challenges, including low labor force participation, limited access to paid, career-relevant experience, and ongoing outmigration of young people seeking opportunity 

elsewhere. Employers across the state consistently report that talent exists, but that applicants often lack the practical work experience required to succeed.

This congressional earmark would help bridge that gap by expanding:

• Paid internships 
• Earn-and-learn opportunities 
• Registered apprenticeships 
• Career pathways that strengthen West Virginia’s workforce pipeline 
• Opportunities that help retain young talent within the state 

This initiative builds on and expands workforce development efforts already underway at High Rocks. With this investment, the organization would further strengthen a statewide internship and apprenticeship ecosystem that aligns education, workforce systems, and employer needs while advancing High Rocks’ mission of transforming lives and strengthening communities across West Virginia.

“Too many young people feel they must leave West Virginia to build a future,” Riley added. “Thanks to the support of our Senators, more West Virginians would be able to gain meaningful experience, build careers, and contribute to their home communities.”

Final decisions about federal earmark proposals will be made by Congress in the coming months, and High Rocks hopes that with the support of our Senators, the funding will be awarded to help strengthen workforce development training and career pathways.