Tomblin tells students education, training essential to success
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today, Wednesday Sept. 24, joined students, faculty and staff at Wayne High School to kick off a new campaign to encourage more young West Virginians to explore post-secondary education programs. The campaign, dubbed “My State, My Life,“ aims to produce a more skilled workforce and help the state provide workers for new and expanding businesses.
“West Virginia has tremendous potential for economic growth in a variety sectors from energy to petrochemicals to tourism,” Gov. Tomblin said. “The opportunities available to our young people are incredible, but to keep them in the Mountain State, we need to take our workforce to the next level. The My State, My Life initiative is a big push in that direction. We want to let students know what jobs will be in demand in the coming years and what kind of education or training they need to get hired.”
The My State, My Life campaign, created by members of the Governor’s Workforce Planning Council, will soon debut a statewide advertising push to promote education beyond high school. The campaign targets middle- and high-school students with two themes: that they can build the career of their dreams right here in West Virginia – and that to do it, they need to take charge of their own lives and educations. The governor also premiered a 5-minute video detailing opportunities available to West Virginia students.
Ads promoting My State, My Life will appear on television and radio, in movie theaters, and on social media including Twitter and Facebook. Print materials also will be distributed statewide to students, parents and teachers.
The campaign features fast-paced, straight-talking ads designed to get students’ attention and directs students to the website where they will find career and intuitional information, career and interest aptitude tests, financial aid assistance, and more.
Today at Wayne High, Gov. Tomblin spoke to a gymnasium full of 9th- through 12th-graders, employing a no-nonsense approach guaranteed to make them sit up and take notice.
“We are ushering in an era of change – one that can and will provide you with opportunities for a great life here at home,” Gov. Tomblin said. “There are endless possibilities and specialized programs across the state that are available to you – no matter what your interests. Our state has never before had the opportunities you have today, tomorrow and for decades to come. Whatever your passion is, you can succeed, and West Virginia will be waiting for you.”
Tomblin also unveiled the new My State, My Life ad that will run on television and in movie theaters around the state. This visit to Wayne County was the first of many planned across the state.
The Governor’s Workforce Planning Council is comprised of the Chancellor of the Council for Community and Technical College Education, the Chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Secretary of Education and the Arts, the Executive Director of Workforce West Virginia, the Director of the West Virginia Development Office, and State Superintendent of Schools. Other business and industry leaders also participate in Council meetings.
For more information, visit: www.mystatemylife.com;www.facebook.com/mystatemylifewv; andwww.twitter.com/mystatemylifewv.