MHI RJ donates $15,000 to Pierpont Community & Technical College
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) — North central West Virginia has seen an increase in aviation students across the area, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) RJ is helping the career field soar with its recent donation.
On Thursday, MHI RJ presented a check worth $15,000 to the Pierpont Foundation, which will be used for students at Pierpont Community and Technical College's Aviation Maintenance Technology program.
12 News spoke with Michael Genin, MHI RJ's director of operations, on why the company chose to donate to the program.
'It's a very important part of this community; it's a very important feeder to make our business a success as well. We have it right here in the airfield, that's not very common with kind of area, where we have all the companies and a school right here with it. We feel like it's up to us to also ensure that we are not only, you know, helping the school out, but it's helping this airfield out as well,' Genin.
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MHI RJ often partners with Pierpont's Aviation Maintenance Technology program, providing its students with internships and full-time careers after completion of the program.
Brad Gilbert, the director of Pierpont's Aviation Maintenance Technology program, also spoke with 12 News on how collaborations like this benefit students.
'Nationwide, there's a tremendous shortage in aircraft mechanics, so being able to partner with a large representative of the industry goes a long way to help fill that gap between the demand and supply of technicians,' Gilbert said.
Gilbert also said that the program has seen a significant increase in students over the last two years, reaching its maximum capacity of 130 students each year.
The funds donated from MHI RJ will specifically go toward student tuition and FAA exam fees.
12 News also spoke with Kathy Hypes, director of the Pierpont Foundation, on MHI RJ's donations benefiting the students.
'Many of our students have barriers that we help them overcome. Barriers such as financial assistance that is needed, so partnerships and collaborations with our industry partners are really a benefit to the students, because it helps them pursue their educational goals,' Hypes said.
Pierpont's Aviation Maintenance Technology will hold its Girls' Aviation Day in September. A Youth in Aviation event will also be held at The Bridge in August.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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