HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is getting an up close look at Marshall University’s aviation program set to launch this fall semester.
“The most exciting thing I think is what we’re hearing about the number of students that can be trained in aviation maintenance. There’s a huge backlog of people wanting to hire those folks,” Capito said during a tour of the Huntington Tri-State Airport Wednesday.
Capito joined Marshall President Brad Smith to visit the airport where the Aviation Maintenance Technology program will be housed, pending FAA certification.
The program is part of Marshall’s Bill Noe Flight School based at Charleston’s Yeager Airport that opened in Aug. 2021.
Captio said the access to aviation opportunities is unmatched.
“If you think about aviation and where it’s been headquartered in the past, it really hasn’t been in the heartland like we are here in West Virginia,” she said. “I think it gives our young folks a chance to really be part of an industry of the future.”
There will be spots will be open to 50 students starting this August.
Smith said students can apply for great jobs straight out of the program.
“You have virtual reality and tools here that are on demand. This is one of the most sought after skills right now. There’s not enough in the industry, so these jobs are waiting to be filled,” Smith said.
Courses will be taken at the airport and some at Marshall’s South Charleston campus for any students interested in airline dispatching, operations, airline managing and airport operations.