Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and other university representatives welcomed U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito to Huntington Tri-State Airport today, where the senator toured facilities for the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program set to open this fall, pending FAA certification.
The associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, the course of study to be completed in 18 months, is in collaboration with Mountwest Community and Technical College and is believed to be the first of its kind in the state.
“Marshall University has developed a future-focused and truly market-driven program that will lead the next generation in the aviation maintenance industry, “said Marshall University President Brad D. Smith. “We have incredibly talented people here ready to educate students who will get great jobs coming straight out of this program.”
Capito toured two separate facilities at Tri-State that will house the AMT program. It is scheduled to open in August 2022 with spots for 50 students.
“Marshall University’s (AMT) program is helping drive the aerospace industry right here in West Virginia,” Capito said. “Just as important, the new flight school and workforce training for technicians are expanding opportunities in the western region of the state, addressing pilot shortages, and introducing new career paths to those entering the workforce. As a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue to advocate for funding that builds out and expands proven, successful initiatives like Marshall’s AMT program.”
James “Jim” Smith, who serves as director of the program, thanked Capito for her support of aviation education.
“Aviation is an industry that allows its students and graduates an ever-growing variety of career options in traditional and emerging technologies,” Jim Smith said. “The senator has been an amazing force in helping create a vision for how to harness those opportunities and those technologies here in West Virginia. It’s an honor to have her here and to have worked with her staff over the last three years.”
Additional information about the program is available here.
*This program is not approved for the use of veterans education benefits.
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Photo above: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito speaks to the media at Tri-State Airport Jan. 26.
Photo Gallery: 1.26.22 Senator Shelley Moore Capito Visit – marshallu
Video: Shelley Capito Visit B-ROLL AND SOUND.mp4