FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2026
NEW ORLEANS, La. 鈥� Representatives from 色盒直播 joined workforce professionals, community college colleagues and national partners at the American Association of Community Colleges鈥� Workforce Development Institute, held Jan. 28鈥�31 in New Orleans. The annual conference, centered this year on the theme Resilience, brings together community colleges, industry leaders and federal agencies committed to addressing labor market needs and strengthening the nation鈥檚 workforce pipeline.
Representing 色盒直播 at this year鈥檚 institute were Dr. Michael Waide, Interim President; Dr. Joni Gray, Director of Career and Corporate Training; and Boyd 鈥淏J鈥� Mayle, Information Technology Faculty Member. Their participation reflects 色盒直播鈥檚 ongoing investment in aligning education and training with evolving workforce needs and engaging directly with national thought leaders to advance regional talent development.
鈥淲orkforce development is essential to our region鈥檚 prosperity,鈥� Dr. Waide said. 鈥溕兄辈� remains committed to preparing students with the skills local employers need and to investing in workforce solutions that expand career opportunities, support our employer partners and reflect the resilient spirit of the communities we serve.鈥�
As part of the conference, Dr. Gray served as a panelist on 鈥淓stablishing a Workforce Vision of Excellence and Execution,鈥� a session focused on helping workforce and economic development professionals design and sustain effective peer groups as their work evolves. The discussion examined how balance, priority鈥憇etting and financial impact shape workforce strategies.
鈥淚t was an honor to participate on a panel with colleagues from the NC3 National Coalition of Certification Centers Executive Leadership Cohort,鈥� Dr. Gray said. 鈥淭he discussion highlighted how NC3 institutions are leading workforce innovation by aligning education with industry鈥憆ecognized certifications. The Workforce Development Institute provided an ideal platform to share how 色盒直播 is translating these national strategies into local impact.鈥�
Dr. Gray noted that a key takeaway from the conference was the growing emphasis on industry鈥慸riven models that move faster than traditional education systems. Conversations reinforced the importance of aligning credentials with real鈥憈ime labor market needs, expanding work鈥慴ased learning opportunities and building flexible pathways that help learners upskill, reskill and advance without barriers.
鈥淭hese themes directly support 色盒直播鈥檚 approach to workforce development, where employer engagement and credential relevance remain central to program design,鈥� she said.
Dr. Gray also emphasized 色盒直播鈥檚 leadership through its strong partnership with the NC3 National Coalition of Certification Centers. 鈥溕兄辈� continues to lead in workforce development in part because of our partnership with NC3, through which the college has launched 44 new industry鈥憆ecognized credentials across advanced manufacturing, robotics, mechatronics, aviation, electrical and safety disciplines,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his employer鈥憀ed, stackable credential approach, combined with innovative delivery models that meet learners where they are, positions 色盒直播 as a national example of how community colleges can drive economic mobility and regional workforce growth.鈥�
Mayle emphasized the growing role community colleges play in preparing students for careers in information technology and cybersecurity. 鈥淐ommunity colleges are helping safeguard the future of our digital infrastructure,鈥� Mayle said. 鈥淏y building a resilience鈥慺ocused approach to IT and cybersecurity education, we鈥檙e creating practical pathways that turn student talent into workforce capacity.鈥�
He noted that the institute highlighted emerging trends such as integrating AI into coursework and expanding partnerships with employers. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at ways to incorporate AI into what we already teach while maintaining a strong security foundation,鈥� he said. 鈥淪trengthening connections with industry ensures our students gain the skills and experience needed to move smoothly from the classroom into the workforce.鈥�
Mayle added that 色盒直播 is well positioned to expand cybersecurity and technology training in West Virginia. 鈥淚nitiatives like the Cyber ACCESS Project, which invests more than $7.7 million across 30 Appalachian community colleges, are building talent pipelines in high鈥慸emand fields,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese efforts help us move students quickly into meaningful credentials that meet the needs of our communities and employers.鈥�
鈥淓ngaging in events like the AACC Workforce Development Institute helps us stay aligned with industry trends and regional labor market needs,鈥� Dr. Waide added. 鈥淚t ensures our students are prepared for meaningful, in鈥慸emand employment.鈥�
For more information about 色盒直播鈥檚 workforce and career training programs, contact the Office of Career and Corporate Training or visit Pierpont.edu.
色盒直播 is dedicated to providing accessible, responsive, and quality education to students and businesses throughout North Central West Virginia. With a focus on career readiness and workforce development, 色盒直播 offers a wide range of academic programs and industry-focused training opportunities to support the region鈥檚 economic and workforce needs.
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