West Virginia University (WVU) is teaming up with the RAND Corporation in a new initiative aimed at transforming how states approach workforce and education systems in a rapidly evolving labor market. By blending WVU’s academic research capabilities with RAND’s deep policy expertise, the collaboration seeks to generate practical, evidence-based strategies that can shape a more resilient and future-ready workforce.
“Working with RAND, our faculty and student researchers will be able to develop and implement policy recommendations that enhance state and national workforce strategies with potential benefits across the Mountain State and around the world,” WVU President E. Gordon Gee, JD, EdD, said in a press release.
The joint effort will explore solutions around apprenticeships, stackable credentials, developmental pathways, and career technical education, all of which are aimed at addressing gaps in training, responding to technological change, and ensuring that workers are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Early findings from the project are expected by the end of 2025 and may serve as a model for similar efforts nationwide.
“Collectively, we have the ability to uncover pragmatic, evidence-based guidance that can bolster career pathways across industries and demographic groups in the 21st century economy,” Fred King, PhD, WVU vice president for research, said in the release. “This is the kind of transformative research that could potentially change economic trajectories for entire communities and regions.”
The joint project will leverage WVU’s status as a land-grant, R1 research institution and RAND’s nearly 80-year history of nonpartisan policy analysis to examine critical labor force challenges. A key area of focus will be mapping career progression that allows for lifelong learning and flexibility—particularly in regions like Appalachia where traditional industries have declined and new sectors are emerging.
“This partnership is a natural fit,” RAND President and CEO Jason Matheny said in a press release. “RAND and WVU share a commitment to improving people’s lives through research and action. Our partnership will provide a model for how to harness the power of policy research and analysis to serve the needs of such an important part of the country.”
The collaboration was spotlighted during Focus Forward: Long Live West Virginia, a statewide conference held April 22 in Morgantown that examined how health, education, and economic development intersect to shape future well-being. During a panel titled, “Living Longer, Working Smarter,” RAND researcher David Luckey joined WVU economist John Deskins and other leaders to discuss how demographic shifts and extended lifespans are reshaping the nature of work; themes central to the new WVU-RAND initiative.
As the partnership progresses, both institutions hope to not only address the specific needs of West Virginia but also inform broader national strategies for workforce resilience in an era of economic transition.
