The EdVenture Group, Inc. was awarded $75,695 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the cMeLead Simulated Workplace Leadership Series project. SWLS is a collaborative project between The EdVenture Group, the West Virginia Department of Education, and nine career & technical education (CTE) centers throughout West Virginia. The project expands a successful leadership development program for CTE youth that empowers students to take ownership of their involvement and influence in their local community.

The project is an expansion of an existing model piloted at Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center. SWLS features professional development for instructors, in-person leadership development programming for Simulated Workplace company leaders, a self-paced online learning track, and culminates in a leadership legacy project developed and implemented by students. SWLS is designed to combine the technical skills developed in the SW environment with the intangible leadership skills needed to be successful in today’s workplace.