J A N U A R Y--2 0 2 3

--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT--

National apprenticeship initiative receives $4.5 million boost

---RCBI's proven apprenticeship model has helped manufacturers large and small overcome critical workforce challenges by implementing flexible, customized registered apprenticeships that deliver industry-vetted training. Thanks to a $4.5 million infusion of federal money secured by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, RCBI will expand the initiative to serve more manufacturers across the Mountain State and around the nation. Learn how Apprenticeship Works can help your operation implement a flexible apprenticeship program to meet your specific needs. -Read the article

- ENTREPRENEURSHIP / INNOVATION

W.Va. inventors to gather Feb. 23 in Wheeling  -The West Virginia Inventors Society is hitting the road with a Feb. 23 stop in Wheeling. Inventors at all stages of the development process are invited to attend the free meeting of the minds. Learn the ins and outs from successful inventors who have brought new products to market. Find out what pitfalls to avoid. Get the scoop on resources available to assist inventors. Network with likeminded individuals. Click the link to register. Register

--PERSONNEL--

Drown, Mullins joins RCBI outreach team --fRCBI has expanded its economic development and outreach staff with the addition of two staffers. Cara Mullins of Huntington joins RCBI as Maker Vault / STEM coordinator. The former teacher is responsible for overseeing RCBI's community makerspace and coordinating all STEM educational activities. Read about Kara here. --fTanner Drown of Huntington is RCBI's new business outreach specialist. His job is to connect businesses to the manufacturing, entrepreneurial and workforce services offered by RCBI. Read about Tanner here.

--SAVE THE DATE--

Learn how to become a supplier to AEP ---RCBI and Advantage Valley are presenting another in their series of Supply Chain Expos to connect small suppliers to major companies while forging supply chain connections closer to home. ---The April 10 event will feature American Electric Power (AEP), parent company of Appalachian Power, the region's largest supplier of electricity. Participants in the free expo can learn about what goods and services AEP needs and let representatives know what their capabilities are. Register your business today for this virtual event. Register for the expo

--RCBI NTERNSHIPS--

Engineer in training helps bring ideas to life ---Carson Boothe of Huntington parlayed his boyhood passion for engineering into a career path. Now the electrical engineering major in Marshall University's College of Engineering and Computer Sciences is putting his knowledge and skills to work at RCBI, where he directly assists manufacturers across a variety of industry sectors in bringing their innovations to life. He's one of several interns to gain hands-on experience at RCBI through the college's Co-Op program. Read the article

U P C O M I N G-- E V E N T S

Feb. 1: Top 5 Ways to Make Your Business Bankable noon to 12:30 p.m. online Would you like to boost your bankability? Do you have a marketing strategy to make the most of your business brand? Find out how with this Top 5 workshop, hosted by the West Virginia Women's Business Center and presented by Nikki Bowman of the West Virginia District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. More information   Feb. 2: Top Tips for a Successful Website noon to 1 p.m. online Roxy Turner of MARZ Strategies provides an easy-to-understand guide to developing a successful online presence for your small business. Presented by the WV Hive Network. More information   Feb.. 2: Build Your Own Business UKV Small Business Startup Workshop 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Montgomery City Hall This Upper Kanawha Valley Small Business Workshop will equip entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to turn ideas into viable businesses. Sponsored by Advantage Valley, Charleston Area Alliance and Kanawha County Commission. More information Feb 14: Safe and Healthy Workplace: A Well Culture Advances Recruitment and Retention 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. online RCBI and Marshall Health's CORE present the second in their series of employer workshops for developing healthy workplaces for all individuals while supporting those recovering from substance use disorder. More information Feb 14: Work for Yourself@50+ 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., online This West Virginia Women’s Business Center and AARP webinar is designed to help you attain the knowledge, support and resources you need to make informed decisions about working for yourself and take the right first steps toward successful self-employment. More information Feb 14: W.Va. Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Monthly Meeting 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., online Monthly meeting to connect and identify opportunities for improvement in aiding entrepreneurs across the state. The work aims to bring together key providers in the state to share best practices and inspire collaborations. More information Feb 22: Getting Registered in the System for Awards Management (SAM.GOV) 11 a.m. to noon online Companies that want to do business with the federal government must register through the System for Awards Management (SAM.gov). Learn how to register, where to find additional assistance and get answers to your questions from Sommer Straight of the Regional Contracting Assistance Center. More information Feb 23: W.Va. Inventors Society 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Oglebay Resort, Wheeling Join inventors from across the state as they share best practices during a meeting of the minds in Wheeling. Learn what resources are available to assist in developing your inventions. More information Feb. 23: USDA Southern W.Va. Rural Partners Network Meeting 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tamarack Conference Center, Beckley Partners from across South West Virginia will network and identify projects in the region that are primed for federal investment. More information If you have upcoming events that you'd like us to share, email details to Mike Friel at mfriel@rcbi.org.

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