Workforce Development
and Capacity Building

Our Workforce Development Model

Our workforce development model is a flexible, multi-level approach designed to engage and develop individuals’ skills and provide wraparound services, while also supporting employers. Training participants can enter our workforce development programming at any point, regardless of their level of experience. Coalfield’s model ensures participants have the support and resources they need to succeed in their careers while helping local businesses thrive with a trained, stable workforce.

Community Training

Community Training is a short-term engagement lasting from one day to one week, offering industry-specific certifications to help individuals upskill in their current job or transition to a new field. While not always offered, stipends may be available to alleviate financial barriers for participants. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated!

Professional Accelerated Training and Hiring (PATH) Training

Professional Accelerated Training and Hiring (PATH) Training is a two to six-week fast-track program focused on in-demand fields like construction, general labor, and energy technology. This program is open to anyone, offering free training, industry-recognized certifications, hands-on experience, and professional development, along with daily stipends. Participants begin working on breaking down barriers to employment, accessing available resources, and building skills to support job attainment (such as resume building and interview practice). Follow us on Facebook to stay updated!

Workforce Readiness and Professional Success (WRAPS) Program

For those seeking long-term support, the Workforce Readiness and Professional Success (WRAPS) program provides paid, hands-on training for six months to three years. Participants begin as WRAPS Trainees, gaining real-world experience, multiple certifications, and higher education credentials while overcoming employment barriers such as substance use recovery or justice involvement. Upon graduation, trainees have opportunities to advance their careers with other employers or, if available, continue with Coalfield Development as WRAPS Crew Members for up to two-and-a-half years. Crew Members graduate with an associate degree or trade certification while receiving extended support to break down employment barriers. Leading the way, WRAPS Crew Chiefs mentor and guide both Trainees and Crew Members, fostering growth and development throughout their learning journeys

Empowered Employers (EE) Network

PATH and WRAPS graduates are placed into a hiring pool for the Empowered Employers (EE) Network, connecting our training graduates to local businesses seeking skilled workers.

Through the EE Network, Coalfield partners with with the WV Jobs Network, American Job Center, Jobs and Hope, The REACH Initiative, & Marshall University’s CORE Program to offer:

  • Access to free Coalfield employer trainings, handbooks, and other tools for investing in your workforce
  • Direct, priority access to quality candidates for employment
  • Navigation of programs to strengthen and support your workforce, such as:
    • Wage reimbursement programs
      • Jobs and Hope
      • Human Resource Development Foundation (HRDF) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
      • Other regional programs
    • Training reimbursement programs
      • Governors Guaranteed Workforce
      • WIOA
      • Other regional programs
  • Connection to programs for hiring and retaining employees, offering individual and organizational social supports

Trainings Provided

Safety Training

  • OSHA 10
  • First Aid CPR & AED
  • Forklift Operation

Career Development

  • Customer Service Training
  • Supervisor Training
  • Leadership Training

Digital & Financial Skills

  • Computer Literacy
  • Financial Literacy
"Jason, a Coalfield trainee, joined us with a construction background and willingness to learn a new trade. After almost 9 years, his broad skillset and dedication make us a better company. His reliability and adaptability truly reflect the strength of Coalfield's program."
Service Pump
in Huntington, WV

For more information on the Empowered Employers program, reach out to
Josiah Hannah at josiah.hannah(at)coalfield-development.org.

Capacity Building

While our workforce development model has proven very successful, we know that Coalfield Development cannot hire every person who needs an opportunity. To scale our impact, we work to build the capacity of not only the individuals coming through our trainings, but also businesses and other nonprofit organizations. 

WRAPS Partners are nonprofits that replicate elements of our workforce model, expanding the reach of our proven initiatives. In return, we provide technical and financial support to help them build their capacity and keep strong, stable workforce programming in communities across Appalachia. All of our WRAPS Partners serve underserved populations in distressed areas and census tracts. So far, these partners have hired and trained nearly 100 people, with 80% of their organizations successfully fundraising to sustain operations, hire trainees, and increase their impact.

The WRAPS Partners initiative focuses on strengthening Appalachia’s workforce development nonprofits by helping them replicate our successful models while enhancing their capacity to sustain themselves.

We also recognize the critical role local businesses play in fostering economic growth. Through our Empowered Employer Network (EEN), we help businesses build supportive workplaces that can employ people facing significant barriers, such as those in recovery from substance use disorder or with justice system involvement. The EEN identifies and empowers businesses that wish to increase their capacity to support employees more fully by investing in and creatively meeting workforce-related challenges for better employee retention, skill development, satisfaction, and long-term stability.

Recognizing the funding challenges smaller nonprofits face—especially concerns about capacity and scale—we address these barriers through collaboration, networking, and in-depth technical and financial assistance.

Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive approach to building sustainable economic growth, workforce development, and community resilience in Appalachia.