WVNCC Paves a Pathway to a College Degree for Apprentices

West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) is proud to announce its participation in the State Tuition Assistance for Necessary Degrees (STAND) Program, an initiative of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System that provides tuition-free opportunities for apprentices in U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship programs to earn a college degree.

The STAND Program enables West Virginians who are enrolled or have completed apprenticeship training to convert their training into college credit. Apprenticeship training can count for up to 45 college credits toward an associate degree at a public community or technical college. Apprentices then complete just 15 additional college credits (about five classes) in general education courses to complete their degree. Classes are offered in flexible formats, often online, enabling apprentices to balance studies with work and personal commitments.

At WVNCC, the Occupational Development Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program, developed years ago in partnership with Project BEST, is eligible under the State’s STAND Program. This degree is designed to build on occupational training, apprenticeships, or other industry-recognized training certifications by combining industry training with general education and elective college courses. The result is a comprehensive associate degree that strengthens worker credentials and expands career opportunities. More information about STAND and Northern’s Occupational Development A.A.S. degree program is available at wvncc.edu.

“By supporting the STAND Program, Northern has removed another barrier to a college degree for thousands of West Virginians, combining apprenticeship training in high-demand career fields with college coursework,” said Dr. Daniel Mosser, president of WVNCC. “This program enables apprentices who have invested considerable time and resources in occupational training to take it to the next level by completing a college degree, thus advancing their careers and our state’s workforce.”

Students must be West Virginia residents, enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program, and admitted into the Occupational Development A.A.S. degree program at WVNCC to qualify for STAND tuition assistance.

For more information about WVNCC’s Occupational Development A.A.S. program and eligibility for the STAND program, prospective students should contact WVNCC’s Financial Aid Office at 304-233-5900.