PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – The Education Alliance wants to highlight West Virginia’s uppermost school-business partnerships.
According to a press release, this is the second consecutive year that the Education Alliance is holding its annual Hope for the Future: School Business Partnership of the Year awards program, which was unveiled on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Mercer County Technical Education Center (MCTEC) in Princeton.
The press release stated that MCTEC was chosen because the school’s partnership with Conn-Weld was acknowledged at the 2025 awards program and presented a $2,000 monetary award.
Strong industry partnerships are essential to expanding opportunities for both staff and students
A partner like Conn-Weld has opened countless doors for our center, and we would not be able to do the work we do without Conn-Weld’s continued and valuable support.
- Danielle Farmer, Director of Mercer County Technical Education Center
Conn-Weld is excited to continue our relationship with MCTEC and the Education Alliance. Conn-Weld, while working with Danielle Farmer and many others at MCTEC, is positioned to reap the rewards of a powerful industry and education partnership. Through interactive sessions and educational support, MCTEC and Conn-Weld will help build and educate generations of people that will support industry and most importantly the trades.
- Marvin Woodie, CEO of Conn-Weld
According to the press release, the purpose of the program is to shine a spotlight on dynamic school-business partnerships that are helping K-12 students in West Virginia be ahead of the game in regard to being successful academically and ready to work.
The press release encourages schools and businesses that have alliances catering to K-12 students in the Mountain State to submit applications. Eight partnerships will be recognized as Regional Partnerships of the Year, with a $2,000 Celebration Grant being awarded to each one. One partnership will be named State Partnership of the Year and get a $25,000 valued award package.
The Partnership of the Year award highlights the incredible impact of school-business partnerships on students across West Virginia.
We are thrilled to partner with Hope Gas on this initiative, and we encourage educators and businesses to submit an application to be recognized for their collaborative efforts on behalf of our students.
- Dr. Amelia Courts, President/CEO of the Education Alliance
According to the press release, West Virginia school-business partnerships that have programs in that are related to academia, career exploration, career readiness, school strategic planning, or social/emotional development are urged to apply. For last year’s awards program, there were more than 75 partnerships in 37 counties that were nominated. This year, the Education Alliance is aiming to have all 55 counties represented with 100 nominees. The deadline for this year’s applications is Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Hope Gas is honored to continue to support the Hope for the Future School Business Partnership of the Year award. One of Hope’s goals is to Keep our Kids in West Virginia by making sure they have opportunities to achieve their fullest education, career and life potential right here in the Mountain State. School-Business partnerships are a key piece to engaging, educating and preparing the future generation of West Virginia’s workforce. I applaud all the schools and businesses who collaborate to offer these essential learning opportunities to students. I encourage them to showcase their partnerships and apply for this award.
- Morgan O’Brien, CEO of Hope Gas
The press release stated that last year, Nature’s Mountain Classroom’s partnership with Pocahontas County Schools was recognized as State Partnership of the Year. For that, all the students in the county had the chance to discover nature. High school students were able to explore different careers and gain leadership skills. Middle school students could ski, kayak, mountain bike, and camp overnight. The youngest students partook in a playground adventure that was based on a storybook.
For more information about the program and how to apply, visit here.
Stick with 59News for more local education news!
link