HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today attended the groundbreaking of the Aviation Maintenance Technology program within Marshall University at the Huntington Tri-State Airport. The Marshall Aviation Maintenance Technology program will help address pilot shortages, introduce new career paths to the region, and help grow the aerospace industry in West Virginia. As a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Capito has helped secure federal funding to make this program possible.
“West Virginia has so much to offer to the aerospace industry, and we have so much to gain from the high-tech industry,” Senator Capito said. “Thanks to the partnership between Marshall University, Mountwest Community and Technical College, Huntington Tri-State Airport, and Yeager Airport, Marshall’s Aviation Maintenance Technologyprogram will help develop critical workforce training programs to support our goal of growing the aerospace economy in West Virginia. This is the comprehensive approach we need to attract the aerospace industry to West Virginia and prove that we have the solid workforce needed to fill these types of jobs. Over the past year, I have worked with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to secure funding for this program to make sure it had the support needed to be successful. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact this program will have on our students, and I look forward to doing what I can to help grow a robust and sustainable aerospace economy in West Virginia and the broader region.”
BACKGROUND:
As part of the comprehensive effort to grow the aerospace economy in southern West Virginia, Marshall University and Mountwest Community and Technical College have joined forces to develop workforce training programs to support the aerospace economy. Educational programming for aerospace will include both workforce training for maintenance technicians and a new flight school to help address pilot shortages and introduce that career path to the region. Marshall is partnering with both the Huntington Tri-State Airport and Yeager Airport to house the programs.
Photos from today’s groundbreaking:
Senator Capito talks with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams.
Senator Capito with Marshall University’s mascot, Marco the Bison.
Senator Capito delivers remarks as part of the groundbreaking ceremony at the Huntington Tri-State Airport.
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