An Important Update about the NewForce Program
After the completion of Cohort 12, the traditional NewForce cohort model will formally sunset. This decision was not made lightly. It reflects a moment of transition shaped by changes in funding, but also by the program’s success. A note from GWV Board Chair, Kel Cecil: In 2019, Generation West Virginia launched NewForce with a clear goal: open a real door into software careers for West Virginians. Employers needed tech talent, and many residents wanted stable, high-growth careers, but without the time, money, or access to pursue a four-year degree, the innovation economy felt out of reach. NewForce created an entry point. It was tuition-free and fully remote before that was common, focused on practical skills tied directly to employer demand,
