BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — West Virginia is expanding the workforce pipeline supporting its growing aerospace and aviation industry with final approval of a new $23 million aviation training facility at North Central West Virginia Airport.
The planned 65,000-square-foot facility will significantly expand Pierpont Community and Technical College’s aviation maintenance training capabilities, adding modern laboratories, testing areas, hangar space and specialized training environments. The expansion is expected to allow Pierpont to increase the capacity of its aviation program from 130 to 230 students and provide additional training aligned with Federal Aviation Administration standards.
The investment comes as aerospace and aviation employers continue to grow around the North Central West Virginia Airport. Pierpont’s aviation programs regularly have waiting lists, while major employers located near the training facility continue to create demand for skilled aviation and advanced manufacturing workers. The airport and surrounding aerospace sector generate more than $1 billion in annual economic impact for the region.
The new facility will help connect more West Virginians with career opportunities in aviation maintenance while providing employers with a larger pipeline of highly trained workers. Plans call for expanded Airframe and Powerplant certification training as well as additional instruction in areas including welding, fabrication and large-aircraft maintenance.
Groundbreaking on the project could take place as early as Oct. 1.
