Our team's first day onsite in West Virginia with Coalfield Development presented us with a powerful opportunity to hear firsthand the stories of the people who Coalfield serves. One trainee shared that he would have taken any job he could get, but nobody could see past the stigma of his past and give him a chance until he found Coalfield Development. “As soon as I got my foot in the door at Coalfield, my life changed that same day. If I were still in my hometown, I would be dead right now. I can’t believe I’m here. I can’t believe I’m alive.” Another trainee told us about life in McDowell County. “There are talented people and valuable resources that are not being put to work. They just need someone to show them that they are valued and that their future can change. Coalfield has shown me unconditional love -- more people need that in their lives.”
During our time traveling around West Virginia, we heard from many people who had transformed their lives. The thing that all of them had in common was finally having someone take a chance on them with an invitation to participate in the dignity of work. Stigma is a challenge not to be underestimated, however, even for employers who have overcome such biases, most are ill-equipped to access, onboard, train and retain a workforce facing the complexity of the barriers to work faced by the target population. This sentiment was echoed in our conversations with other organizations providing job placement services. These organizations have no shortage of people interested in work, but they have a difficult time identifying placement opportunities with employers. Our observations showed that Coalfield’s approach was successful, yes, but also incredibly unique, especially as an employer and job creator.
Stories and experiences like these helped illustrate the greater macroeconomic picture facing West Virginia. With a workforce participation rate of 55.1%, West Virginia ranks the lowest in the nation. This trend has not changed much in the last decade given a 10-year high of 55.3% and 10-year low of 52.6%. For West Virginia to achieve parity with the national rate of 62.7% requires nearly 120,000 jobs. Ironically, the Legislative Oversight Committee on Workplace Development shows 1.5 job openings for every job seeker in West Virginia, meaning there are actually more jobs than job seekers. The challenge is that the unemployment rate does not accurately reflect people facing barriers to work especially due to issues of substance use disorder and/ or justice system involvement.
Additionally, the majority of job openings are not in locations near where people facing the greatest barriers live. We focused on nine target counties identified by Coalfield Development: Barbour, Boone, Clay, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Putnam, Wayne, and Wyoming. Nearly one in four people in these counties lives in poverty, and the overdose rate is more than four times the national average. Of the 230,000 residents, around 100,000 are of working age. The workforce participation rate for these counties combined is about 50%, 5 points lower than the state’s average.
Employers in these counties expressed a desire to invest in their local communities while underscoring the need for a support network to navigate the complexities of hiring individuals re-entering the job market. These employers represent an opportunity for Coalfield to scale its programming by bringing in employer partners who can help to increase Coalfield’s capacity especially in locations where it has a smaller presence.
The Empowered Employers Network (EEN) is essential for bridging the gap between employers seeking a reliable workforce and individuals ready to re-enter the job market who face barriers such as transportation, housing, and stigma. EEN provides a platform to connect employers with the resources, training, and community partnerships necessary to confidently bring these individuals into their workforce, addressing both practical and social barriers. This will also enable businesses to invest in their workforce while fostering economic growth and creating pathways for individuals to reintegrate into society. This network not only focuses on the need for workforce development but also can empower employers to play an active role in transforming lives and building stronger communities. Through targeted support, clear guidance, and shared resources, the EEN can overcome the barriers that have traditionally limited access to dignified work for those facing employment challenges.