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Two summers ago, then-Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism Chelsea Ruby said "Our problem ... is an exceptionally good one to have: Tourism is growing so fast that our workforce is straining to keep up with demand."
Ruby deserves the lion's share of the credit for that explosive growth, which required the launch of Tourism Works, a partnership with the Department of Education, in summer 2024. It put tourism curriculum in all 55 county school districts and built career pathways for students to earn credits and certifications that would meet the needs of the tourism industry in the Mountain State.
"We want all West Virginia businesses to be equipped to meet and welcome visitors to their communities. To tackle this challenge, the Department of Tourism partnered with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College to develop a widely accessible online certification program in basic hospitality customer service," Ruby wrote in Views and Visions. "This free, for-credit resource is being designed with all types of tourism ambassadors in mind--everyone from baristas and ski instructors to service station clerks and tourism entrepreneurs. It will launch later this year."
Now, according to Gov. Patrick Morrisey's office, participants in the program have earned more than 25,000 microcredentials and 1,000 college credit hours; with more than 4,000 residents enrolled in the free online workforce training program.
These are students, educators, industry professionals and community ambassadors learning how to build something for themselves and our state. Some participants become "Ask Me, I'm a Local" ambassadors in their communities.
Tourism accounts for tens of thousands of jobs here. Growth of another more-than 20,000 is expected each year. It is important the state continue to look for ways to support those who will keep working in and building that industry.
If we support tourism -- and the incredible natural beauty so many visitors come to see -- we are supporting our future. Thank goodness Ruby and her team were looking forward as they set it all in motion. And thank goodness they understood: Tourism does work FOR West Virginia.