More than 500 eighth-grade students from across Marion County gathered at East Fairmont High School on Tuesday, March 3, for a Student Aviation Summit. Held in partnership with the West Virginia K-12 Speakers Bureau, the event was designed to introduce students to the many career opportunities within the aerospace and aviation industry through a day of hands-on learning.
The summit was divided into two sessions to accommodate the large number of participating students, beginning with an interactive presentation and Q&A session. Leaders from the state’s premier aviation programs, including Pierpont Community and Technical College, West Virginia University, Marshall University, Fairmont State University, and the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, spoke to students about the future of aviation-related careers in West Virginia.
Following the Q&A, students participated in hands-on activities that demonstrated what a career in the aviation industry entails.
Pierpont’s Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Director Brad Gilbert gave students a demonstration on specific engine components and explained how technicians perform maintenance on the parts.
Stephanie Cunningham, Career and Corporate Training Specialist, introduced students to workforce development opportunities at Pierpont and gave them a chance to try a Virtual Reality welding simulator.
Skylar Thompson from Pierpont’s admissions department shared information about program options, financial aid and the enrollment process at Pierpont.
A major theme of the day was the accessibility of these careers through state-funded support. Brad Gilbert emphasized that a future in any career, not just aviation, is a realistic goal for every student in attendance.
“It’s great when we can all come together to give the kids a perspective on careers that they have probably never thought of,” said Gilbert. “I encouraged everyone to learn about the WV Invests grant. I told them to take advantage of that opportunity and do something after high school. Get the grant and move forward from there, no matter what industry you are interested in.”
Through this summit, Marion County Schools and its partners continue to prioritize early exposure for students to high-growth career opportunities available in West Virginia.
For more information about Aviation Maintenance Technology or other programs, visit 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.
Media Contact:
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@pierpont.edu