South Charleston, W.Va.— BridgeValley Community and Technical College has been awarded $257,408 from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) 2024 Highway Construction Training Program (HCTP) to launch the West Virginia Advanced Highway Training (WVAHT) Program.
The new program will expand BridgeValley’s Highway Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science degree to include advanced coursework and hands-on training in highway construction and bridge inspection. Participants will earn industry-recognized credentials designed to help them compete for high-quality, in-demand jobs across West Virginia’s growing infrastructure and transportation sectors.
BridgeValley will collaborate with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, state certification boards, public engineering consulting firms, the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, and local job centers to recruit and train individuals, with a focus on reaching marginalized and disadvantaged populations.
“This investment supports our continued commitment to building the skilled workforce needed to maintain and modernize West Virginia’s infrastructure,” said Kristi Sarrett, Dean of Workforce Development and Technical Education at BridgeValley. “Graduates of this program will gain the specialized knowledge, certifications, and real-world experience that directly translate into strong career opportunities.”
BridgeValley is among only 16 institutions nationwide to receive an FHWA HCTP award this year, reflecting the college’s leadership in developing innovative workforce solutions that meet both regional and national needs.
The FHWA’s Highway Construction Training Program helps states and educational partners expand access to transportation careers, improve job readiness, and strengthen diversity in the highway construction industry. More information and the full list of FY 2024 award recipients are available on FHWA’s website at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovativeprograms/centers/workforce_dev/hcwp/hctp/hctp_fy24_grant_awards.aspx.