The proposed bill aims to establish the "West Virginia Skilled and Ready to Work Internship and Apprenticeship Incentive Act" by adding a new article to the Code of West Virginia. The Act is designed to provide West Virginia employers with a competitive edge by offsetting the costs associated with training a skilled workforce. It seeks to enhance the state's labor market, attract business investments, and promote long-term economic growth by fostering a pipeline of early-career skilled workers. The bill outlines definitions for "Qualified Internship or Apprenticeship" and "Eligible Employer," emphasizing the importance of structured, paid work experiences in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, and skilled trades.

Additionally, the bill introduces a tax credit for eligible employers, allowing them to claim 50% of the wages paid to each qualified intern or apprentice, capped at $10,000 per individual per taxable year, with a total limit of $150,000 in credits per employer. Employers must apply for certification of each internship or apprenticeship to claim the tax credit and are required to submit annual reports detailing their participation. The bill also specifies non-qualified positions that do not qualify for the tax credit, including various retail, food service, and general labor roles. Overall, the legislation aims to incentivize the creation of skilled positions while ensuring that the tax benefits are directed towards meaningful training opportunities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 30-44-1, 30-44-2, 30-44-3, 30-44-4, 30-44-5, 30-44-6