(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Governments have only a limited number of ways to support private businesses — large or small. Whether we like it or not, spending taxpayer money is one of them. The question becomes whether the return is larger than the investment — whether that money is being spent prudently.

So, one can understand one of the objections to state House Bill 4004, to create the Recharge West Virginia program, from a few who wondered whether it was a good use of taxpayer dollars to support private businesses by incentivizing them to upskill existing employees.

(It is harder to understand those who insisted there should be prohibitions against noncitizens participating, given that there are a number of ways in which documented non-citizens can legally work in this country.)

But despite the objection of those seven Republicans, HB 4004 has passed the state House of Delegates, and rightly so. The program would reimburse employers for specialized technical training for their employees, with a goal to bridge skill gaps, increase workforce participation and support talent retention.

“It’s a competitive program which will be evaluated based upon the wage increase of the employee, the level of economic distress in the region, the amount of the employer-paid contribution, the employer’s history with the work program,” said House Finance Committee Vice Chairman Clay Riley, R-Harrison. “This will be a reimbursement program of which the employer must enter into a grant agreement with the division.”

The training must lead to an upskill credential — an industry-recognized certification verifying the individual’s competence.

How many West Virginians spent years — maybe even decades — in careers that utilized a skill set that is simply not relevant in today’s workplace? How many employers are struggling, not to find those willing to work, but to find those who are ABLE to do the work today?

“This is not just for employees and employers. It’s also for the small businesses,” said Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, the lead sponsor of the bill. “I have a lot of machine shops, welding companies, fabrication companies in my district, and I’ve spoken to a lot of them already, and they’re thrilled about this program.”

If more people are able to work, and perhaps even help their employers make more money, the benefit to the economy will make up for any taxpayer dollars spent. State senators will no doubt understand that. If there are ways to help the program deliver an even higher return on investment for West Virginians, of course they must try to find it. But they must not stand in the way of an idea that might, indeed, help recharge our workforce.