FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2026

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Pierpont Community & Technical College hosted a Lunch & Learn session on Thursday, March 26, bringing together local business and industry leaders to learn how the state‑funded Learn and Earn program supports workforce development through paid, work‑based learning opportunities. This event highlighted Pierpont’s role in helping employers leverage Learn and Earn grants to build talent pipelines while supporting students as they earn income and credentials aligned with high‑demand careers.

Learn and Earn is a state-funded workforce development initiative that allows employers to receive a 50 percent wage match when they hire Pierpont students for paid, supervised work-based learning experiences. Students gain hands-on experience in their field while continuing coursework toward a degree, certificate, or short-term credential.

“Learn and Earn is designed to meet employers where they are,” said Dr. Joni Gray, Director of Career and Corporate Training for Pierpont Community & Technical College. “We work directly with business and industry partners to build customized solutions that help them grow their workforce while reducing costs and improving retention.”

Pierpont partners with employers across a wide range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, construction, aviation, information technology, energy, legal services and nonprofit organizations. The program also allows businesses to leverage funding annually, creating sustained workforce pipelines rather than one-time engagements.

One employer currently utilizing Learn and Earn is the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, where President Dani DeVito has firsthand experience with the program’s impact.

“We’ve been able to bring on an employee who is gaining education and experience at the same time, and the Learn and Earn program has made that possible,” DeVito said. “The process was incredibly easy, and Pierpont guided us every step of the way. It’s been a win for our organization and for our employee, and I truly can’t say enough about the value of this program.”

In addition to traditional internships, Learn and Earn can be paired with customized training and micro-credentials, allowing employers to upskill current employees or prepare new hires for evolving job roles. Students must be enrolled at Pierpont and actively taking courses aligned with their work-based learning experience.

More than 90 percent of Learn and Earn participants statewide are hired by the companies that train them, underscoring the program’s effectiveness as a workforce development strategy.

“Employers often tell us they struggle to find qualified candidates,” Dr. Gray said. “Learn and Earn shifts that challenge into an opportunity. By investing in students now, businesses are helping build the skilled workforce they need for the future.”

Pierpont regularly works with employers to develop Learn and Earn applications, identify eligible students, and manage reporting and reimbursement. Businesses may leverage funding for internships of up to 40 hours per week, depending on organizational needs.

Employers interested in partnering with Pierpont through Learn and Earn are encouraged to contact the Office of Career and Corporate Training.

For more information, visit pierpont.edu or email CCT@pierpont.edu.

Pierpont Community & Technical College provides accessible, responsive, and high‑quality education to students and businesses across North Central West Virginia. With a strong focus on career readiness and workforce development, Pierpont offers academic programs and industry‑aligned training that create clear pathways to employment. Through this work, the college helps students discover their path while supporting the region’s economic and workforce needs.

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Pierpont Community and Technical College
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