CHARLESTON — A proposed bill in the West Virginia Senate would seek to reinvigorate the state’s workforce by making technical training programs more affordable.

Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, is sponsoring SB 284, which is modeled after a similar program in Tennessee. The bill would allow for the state to pay “the last dollar in” on tuition costs for students in state technical colleges who are enrolled in two-year and certificate programs. The grants would be available for careers which “satisfy a workforce need,” according to language in the bill. Those areas of need are determined by the state Department of Commerce.

“We seem to put a heavy emphasis on four-year institutions,” Carmichael said Thursday. “There are so many jobs available for those with technical skills. We haven’t given those programs the proper emphasis.”

Sarah Tucker, chancellor of Community and Technical College Education, said she sees the bill as a positive step in recognizing the important role community and technical colleges play in developing the state’s workforce and economy.

“Frankly, it is really refreshing to have both the Governor’s administration and the Senate President’s office so interested in community and technical education,” she said.

The West Virginia Invests Grants would be available to students enrolling in community and technical programs who have completed federal financial aid applications and who have received all available state and federal aid.

The program would require students to submit to drug testing and to remain and work in West Virginia for a period of time after graduation. If a student wanted to leave the state before then, they would have to pay back the grant, Carmichael said.

The program, which is estimated to cost about $7 million-$8 million a year, would not cover books or other school supplies. The bill says the program will cover “all mandatory fees required as a condition of enrollment,” but while Tucker said that includes all fees, Carmichael said students would still be responsible for paying most fees themselves.

Carmichael said because community and technical colleges tend to be commuter-oriented, room and board is not included as well.

“That’s not really as much of a concern,” he said.

Carmichael said institutions will likely require additional resources to help process applications and financial aid. Tucker said the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission already handles processing for all state grants, so that department would handle the WV Investment Grants as well.

Tucker said community and technical colleges would require some training on helping students to apply for all the pertinent financial aid for participation in the state program.

“On the campuses, there is going to have to be education and outreach,” she said.

The program could be used by some students who are still in high school but taking college courses, Tucker said, especially those who do so through career and technical schools.

Tucker said while the community and technical college system graduated nearly 5,000 students last year, which is an increase over previous years, low enrollment remains a persistent problem. Tucker said the West Virginia Investment Grants could help increase enrollment by providing training for in-demand jobs and reducing the “sticker shock” for higher education.

“We are running programs we know will lead to jobs, but we’re at half-enrollment,” she said. “This program allows our residents to feel comfortable knowing they can afford a community and technical college education.”

Carmichael said the bill is being discussed in the Senate Education Committee and from there will be sent to the Senate Finance Committee.