Marshall welcomes BCMS 8th-Graders for Future WV Workers Tour

Marshall University is launching an initiative to introduce young people to thriving industries in the Mountain State and teach them about career opportunities and professional pathways in these fields.
The Future WV Workers tour kicked off Wednesday, Oct. 25, when 100 Braxton County Middle School 8th-graders visited the university’s Bill Noe Flight School in Charleston and the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center in South Charleston. Students had the opportunity to talk with professionals working in the aviation and manufacturing industries and students pursuing careers in these thriving sectors. They also got a firsthand look at the advanced technologies employed by these industries.
“Over the past decade, many business-friendly policies have been enacted, spurring economic development and careers,” said Sara Payne Scarbro, associate vice president of government relations said. “These Future WV Workers segments help us flip the script, highlighting the economic transformation taking place within West Virginia’s borders while also denouncing the misconception that there aren’t enough jobs. Opportunity is all around. We, at Marshall, want to show students that with the right specialized training, they can have a great career right here in West Virginia.”
Aviation and advanced manufacturing are two of the strategic focus areas identified by the university as pillars of excellence.
“Marshall University is committed to providing solutions for the aviation and manufacturing industries by providing in-demand, on-demand industry skill sets that prepare our students for rewarding careers,” said Brandon Dennison, vice president of economic and workforce development. “Aviation and advanced manufacturing are just two of Marshall’s industry focus areas with the others being entrepreneurship, health care, advanced energy and cyber/forensics.”
Payne Scarbro said additional Future WV Worker tours will focus on the other pillars of excellence as Marshall redoubles efforts to introduce young people to career opportunities in fields that will allow them to find good paying jobs here in West Virginia.