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Plan: West Virginia PYs 2024-2027
Combined Plan C

Section: Wagner-Peyser Act

Narrative: e. 6. D.

Published
Located in:

e. 6. D. Assessment of Progress

The plan must include an explanation of what was achieved based on the previous AOP, what was not achieved and an explanation as to why the State believes the goals were not achieved, and how the State intends to remedy the gaps of achievement in the coming year.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

Since the previous AOP, the landscape of MSFWs in West Virginia has shifted to a population of primarily foreign workers here on H2A visas. Therefore, our focus has shifted from the previous plan to better accommodate outreach and services to this population. WFWV now maintains two full-time bi-lingual outreach workers who dedicate 100% of their time to outreach during peak season. We have also begun partnering with the WVDA to provide pesticide training to our outreach workers and any farmworkers who may not have access to safety training in their native language. The agency has also produced video training on the complaint system, MSFW outreach, and the agricultural recruitment system to train and educate staff at our offices around the state with MSFW activity nearby. 

There were several things from the previous AOP that were successfully achieved. 

  • WorkForce West Virginia ensured that training was provided to outreach staff and local offices staff in the following areas: correctly identifying MSFWs, knowledge of services available to MFSWs, requirements of outreach and the Complaint System. 
  • WorkForce West Virginia reviewed and updated the MOU with Telemon, NFJP grantee, and started monthly meetings to strengthen the relationship. These meetings went to quarterly meetings after about 6 months but additional partners who serve MSFWs need to be included in these meetings. 
  • WorkForce West Virginia also hired two outreach workers who are bilingual which has tremendously helped to effectively communicate with workers about the Complaint System, farmworker rights, available services and develop a trust between the outreach workers and MSFWs.  

Since the last AOP, there were some areas where we did not achieve the expected goals.

  •  WorkForce attempted to find a NFJP grantee that would be able to serve the central and north central portions of the state not served by the current grantee.  After some research, we were not able to find a grantee to do such.  
  • Although routine visits have not been conducted to agriculture employers, Business Service staff did attend the Small Farm Conference the last two years to talk with agriculture employers about services available and how they can utilize the Agriculture Recruitment System to find workers. Over 300 individuals attend this conference each year and it is a good way to make connections with several employers in one location.
  • Collaboration with the Local Workforce Development Boards has not taken place as planned. WorkForce realizes the importance of this collaboration and plans to work on that in the next four years. This collaboration along with the NFJP partner, will assist with getting information to MSFWs regarding ES services available.