FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2025
Clarksburg, WV – Pierpont Community and Technical College welcomed West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey to the Clarksburg Campus Thursday morning for a press conference that kicked off the Backyard Brawl and focused on workforce development, economic growth and the future of energy and education in the Mountain State.
The event drew legislators, community leaders and students, including about 20 students from Pierpont’s PRIDE Academy, Criminal Justice and Emergency Medical Services Technician programs. Attending with their faculty members, students participated as part of a co-curricular learning experience, engaging with state leadership and civic processes.
Pierpont’s PRIDE Academy also offered a coffee service for guests, highlighting the college’s commitment to hospitality and student engagement.
Morrisey emphasized the critical role institutions like Pierpont play in preparing West Virginia’s workforce for the evolving demands of industry and technology. He discussed the importance of training, recruitment and retention, and praised the state’s progress in streamlining permitting processes and expanding licensing opportunities to attract professionals from across the country.
“We want to make sure that West Virginians get the education and the training they need to enter the lines of work that are available,” said Gov. Morrisey. “We have so many open jobs here in West Virginia. We want to make sure we’re matching those efforts up. Good people matched with the right job opportunities. It’s one of the reasons why we’ve announced that we’re redoing our WorkForce West Virginia website and some of the functionality of what they’re doing, so it could be more functional in today’s world.”
Pierpont has partnered with WorkForce West Virginia to offer short-term, industry-recognized training programs through its Career and Corporate Training office, meeting the needs of employers across the state. These programs are designed to be flexible, affordable and responsive to the evolving demands of the region’s economy. Many of the credentials are stackable and align with Pierpont’s associate degree and certificate programs, creating a seamless pathway for students to enter the workforce fully trained and job-ready.
“Community colleges are engines of economic growth. Pierpont is excited to partner with businesses and industries in developing educational programs that work, building the workforce pipeline that creates opportunity for students and drives our region’s prosperity,” said Dr. Michael Waide, interim president of Pierpont.
Pierpont is proud to be a partner in West Virginia’s economic development strategy and remains committed to providing high-quality education and training that meets the needs of students, employers and communities across the state.
“We cannot bring businesses in without a trained workforce. And I would be remiss not to say to you at Pierpont, I really appreciate what you guys do in the training of emergency services. It is just such a job that you guys do, and we really need emergency services in this state to keep us operating,” said Delegate Joe Statler.
The governor also acknowledged the significance of the date, Sept. 11, and paid tribute to the memory of those lost through a moment of reflection and the lowering of the flag to half-mast. This tribute echoed Sen. Ben Queen’s sentiment, thanking the ladies and gentlemen who serve.
As West Virginia continues to invest in its workforce and economic future, Pierpont remains committed to serving as a catalyst for progress. Through innovative training programs, strong partnerships with industry and government and a student-centered approach to education, the college is helping build a stronger, more resilient Mountain State, one graduate at a time.
——
Media Contact:
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@pierpont.edu