SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — BridgeValley Community & Technical College proudly announces a major milestone: for the second consecutive year, 100% of students graduating from its Workforce INitiative (WIN) Academy, a public high school, are continuing their education at the college level. Some are enrolling at BridgeValley, while others are pursuing degrees elsewhere—making WIN Academy a unique standout among West Virginia high schools.

WIN Academy provides accelerated, dynamic degree programs for up to 120 high school juniors and seniors who are focused on starting a Nursing or Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) career. The academy is a tuition-free, dual-enrollment public school that equips students with hands-on technical training, career credentials, and college credit—helping them graduate high school career-ready and college-prepared. After high school graduation, WIN students only need one more year to complete their college degree. This year, every WIN student in our Phlebotomy course this spring went on to pass their national accreditation exam –helping them leave high school with a credential that makes them immediately employable.

In another impressive achievement, one WIN student was accepted into BridgeValley’s highly competitive FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) program. FAME is an employer-driven, work-and-learn model that prepares students for high-demand, high-tech careers in advanced manufacturing. Participants earn an associate degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology while gaining paid, hands-on experience with industry partners.

“This level of success is what WIN Academy was built for,” said Jennifer Hurt, Dean of High School Programs. “We’re preparing students not just to earn diplomas, but to enter the workforce with real skills or continue on to higher education—many doing both. These results reflect the dedication of our students, faculty, and partners.”

BridgeValley continues to lead the way in workforce education through innovative programs that align education with the evolving needs of West Virginia’s economy.

For more information on the WIN Academy at BridgeValley, visit www.bridgevalley.edu/winacademy.