Dr. Bill Bissett, Ed.D., is president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association.
CHARLESTON — After a divisive 2026 Primary Election and the new normal of vitriol about politics and government via social media, it is easy to lose confidence in the effectiveness of our governmental structures.
While the negative news about our elected leaders is usually featured above fold in newspapers and the lead story in television newscasts, the good news often gets lost. I would like to showcase a great example of how the legislative process worked well this year during the 2026 Regular Session and hopefully give some hope that good work is still being done under the gold dome in Charleston.
As the leader of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA), I am in contact with companies that make products here at home. One constant concern I hear from manufacturers across the Mountain State is about workforce, especially the need for entry level workers in our more rural areas. Combined with our historic population loss, how do they find West Virginians to make the products we need for both existing manufacturers and the many new companies that are coming online in the near term? Moreso, how do we let young West Virginians know about the opportunities here at home that may be down the road from them?
Early last year, Zim’s Bagging, a longtime member of our Association who makes packaging materials in Wayne County, reached out to Delegate Ryan Browning to discuss how to attract young people to manufacturing so they can remain here in West Virginia if they choose to do so. Our goal was to run legislation that would create a process similar to the highly successful 4T program that Toyota uses at its nearby Buffalo plant.
While state law was vague, our goal was to create clarity that manufacturers could hire 16- and 17-year-old students to work a half day in manufacturing while continuing their education in safe and supervised conditions with their parents’ approval. After considerable work, House Bill 4005, the Skills to Work bill, was introduced and was a part of the WV House’s “Jobs First – Opportunity Everywhere” package of bills designed to create jobs and expand investment in West Virginia.
House Bill 4005 was passed by both Republicans and Democrats in the West Virginia House and State Senate and then signed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey. This new law goes into effect this Monday, June 8. We will be sharing this new opportunity with high school teachers, principals, administrators, staff at our Career & Technical Centers, and parents of students who may want to take advantage of this new pathway to employment. We are also communicating with our member companies so they can expand our efforts by connecting with their local secondary institutions.
“House Bill 4005 aligns well with the direction we’re working toward in Wayne County Schools,” said Todd Alexander, Wayne County school superintendent. “Our focus is on providing students with meaningful, engaging learning experiences that lead to real opportunities here in West Virginia.
“We’ve made strong progress through our internship program and partnerships with businesses like Level 1 Fasteners and Zim’s Bagging, and we’re in the process of expanding those efforts with the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center. This legislation helps strengthen and encourage the kind of partnerships that are essential for giving students valuable, real-world experiences while also supporting long-term economic development in our state.”
On behalf of the WVMA and its membership, I want to thank the leadership of Zim’s Bagging, Delegate Browning, and everyone who supported this important legislation. Modern manufacturing offers careers for the next generation of West Virginians, but to take advantage of these existing opportunities there must be awareness that these employers are located near where you live. It is our hope that this new law will assist manufacturers with their future workforce needs, especially in our more rural areas. We also believe that demystifying manufacturing with young West Virginians can allow more of us to remain here at home if they choose to do so.
Bissett is the President of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, a statewide advocacy group that represents manufacturers as well as companies dependent on manufacturing for their livelihoods.
