§5B-14-2. Approval of eligible workforce training programs.

(a) Upon application by an eligible institution that offers a short-term workforce training program, the Governor shall, in consultation with the West Virginia Workforce Development Board, approve the short-term workforce training program for eligibility for the Workforce Pell Grant program if the program satisfies all the requirements set forth at 20 U.S.C. § 1088(b)(3)(A)(iii), including that it:

(1) Provides an education aligned with the requirements of:

(A) A high-skill industry sector or occupation;

(B) A high-wage industry sector or occupation; or

(C) An in-demand industry sector or occupation;

(2) Meets the hiring requirements of employers or potential employers in the state in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations;

(3) Either:

(A) Leads to a recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable across more than one employer; or

(B) Prepares students enrolled in the program for employment in an occupation for which there is only one recognized postsecondary credential and provides students with such a credential upon completion of the program;

(4) Prepares students to pursue one or more related certificate or degree programs at one or more institutions of higher education (which may include the eligible institution providing the program), including by ensuring that a student, upon completion of the program and enrollment in such a related certificate or degree program, will receive academic credit for the Workforce Pell Grant program that will be accepted toward meeting such certificate or degree program requirements; and

(5) Meets any other requirements for eligibility for the Workforce Pell Grant program established by applicable federal regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of H.R. 1, Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Sec. 83002 (2025).

(b) Eligible institutions offering short-term workforce training programs that are approved for Workforce Pell Grant program eligibility pursuant to this section and which have students receiving Workforce Pell Grants shall report annually to the board concerning program completion rates, job placement rates, and earnings, as provided in §5B-14-3 of this code.