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West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Constellium hold 2023 Skilled Trades signing ceremony

By Staff Reports 3 min read

RAVENSWOOD -- West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Constellium in Ravenswood held a signing ceremony on Friday for 13 students who received scholarships for the Skilled Trades Scholarship Program.

The scholarship program is a collaboration between Constellium and WVU-P providing scholarships to selected students to help them earn a college degree and gain employment in a skilled trades job.

Students may choose to complete an associate's of applied science in Multi-Craft Technology or Reliability and Maintenance Technology offered through WVU-P. After completing their associate degree, students will commit to employment with Constellium for at least five years as part of the scholarship requirements.

"They're going to have a two-year associate degree, totally paid for, with a job. And they get to stay in the state of West Virginia, we're losing far too many young people," Constellium CEO Buddy Stemple said.

The program helps Constellium retain future employees while being beneficial to students, he said.

"So I think it's just a win-win all the way around," Stemple said.

The 13 students selected were are: Austin Balis, Ripley High School; William Conrad, Wirt County High School; Joah Defren, Ripley High School; Tannar Ebos, Ravenswood High School; Ethan Fry, Ravenswood High School; Nicholas Hill, Ripley High School; David Moore Jr., Ripley High School; Drake Smith, Roane High School; Hunter Brown, Ripley High School; Isaiah Casto, Ripley High School; Alec Marshall, Parkersburg South High School; Austin Starcher, Wirt County High School; and Alec Vance, Ripley High School.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on criteria such as grade point average, school attendance, letters of recommendation, and an interview process.

During the ceremony, Torie Jackson, president of WVU-P, was thankful of the partnership between WVU-P and Constellium and encouraged students on their upcoming journey that lies ahead.

"We're very excited for this partnership. Students, we have free tutoring, we have lots of supports for you as we go along this journey," Jackson said. "In every educational journey, people look for the light at the end of the tunnel. You start yours knowing what job will be yours after you complete your education. And, along the way, you will have the support of WVU-P and Constellium to allow you to get there successfully."

Chris Treadway, vice chancellor of the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia, said community college educations are better than a four-year degree. Community colleges can form relationships with employers and meet their needs, Treadway said.

"You couldn't have picked a better place than WVU-P to start on this journey, it's such a supportive team, and we're so proud of them and the work they do," Treadway said. "If you ever need anything, if you ever feel like you're stressed or overwhelmed, don't let it get to you just ask one of the folks at WVU-P -- that's what they specialize in."

Other speakers included representatives from Gov. Jim Justice and Sens. Shelley Moore-Capito and Joe Manchin.

Mitch Carmichael, secretary of economic development in West Virginia, noted the importance of companies like Constellium to a local economy. Constellium supplies aluminum and operates in markets such as aerospace, automotive, construction, packaging, renewable energy and transportation worldwide.

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