FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2026
FAIRMONT, W.Va. – From power generation facilities and natural gas processing plants to field operations and instrumentation systems, students in Pierpont Community & Technical College’s Applied Process Technology (APT) program spent the summer building skills alongside some of the region’s leading energy and industrial employers.
This year, 18 Applied Process Technology students completed internships with more than 10 companies, including FirstEnergy, MPLX, Hope Gas, Expand Energy, Ambit Power, Mountaintop Beverage and Pillar Innovations. The opportunities allowed students to apply classroom concepts in real-world settings while gaining hands-on experience with the systems, equipment and technologies that power West Virginia’s economy.
“One of the biggest strengths of the Applied Process Technology program is our industry partnerships,” said Blake Lillard, Program Coordinator for Applied Process Technology at Pierpont. “These internships give students the opportunity to see how the concepts they’re learning in class translate directly into the workplace. They’re working alongside experienced operators, technicians and engineers, building confidence, developing professional networks and often positioning themselves for future employment before they even graduate.”
Among those gaining valuable experience this summer was Cameron Derico, who interned with MPLX’s Mobley natural gas processing facility in Wetzel County. As an operations intern, Derico’s daily duties included completing rounds and assessing all sections of the gas processing facility. He also provided vital assistance in completing plant startup procedures, replacing safety valves and troubleshooting compressor and dehydrator operation modes.
“Almost everything I’ve learned in my first semester at Pierpont has been very useful during my internship at MPLX, especially my Process Fundamentals class,” Derico said. “It gave me a good understanding of how our equipment works and its purpose.”
At Hope Gas, Gavin Porter worked in field operations, assisting with instrumentation, controls and communications systems. His experience included rebuilding meters and control valves, installing equipment in the field and learning programmable logic controller (PLC) applications.
“Every week is a little different,” Porter said. “From wiring systems and programming units to installing equipment in the field, I’ve learned technical skills that I can carry with me throughout my career.”
Joseph Barr spent the summer interning with NAES at Long Ridge Energy & Power’s natural gas power plant in Hannibal, Ohio, where he worked alongside instrumentation and electrical technicians maintaining equipment and troubleshooting plant systems. One of his most memorable projects involved independently installing a turbidity sensor and integrating it into the plant’s controls.
“This internship made me realize that this is the field I want to stay in,” Barr said. “I was unsure before because I hadn’t actually experienced it yet, but seeing the work firsthand confirmed that’s where I want my career to be.”
For Masyn Horn, an internship with Expand Energy provided exposure to production operations across the Marcellus and Utica regions. Working on well pads and production systems reinforced his desire to build a career in the industry.
“This has shown me that this is what I want to do and what kind of work I want to pursue in my career,” Horn said. “Learning from experienced operators and getting hands-on experience every day has been invaluable.”
Students also gained experience at FirstEnergy’s Harrison and Fort Martin power stations, where they were involved in plant operations, emissions systems, water treatment processes, ash handling systems and equipment maintenance. Interns included Mason Moore, Delton Logan, Taylor Hayes, Mackinsey Thomas, Kaden Mayle and Iain Campbell. Through these experiences, students were able to see firsthand the complexity of large-scale power generation facilities while working alongside industry professionals.
Lillard said the success of the internship program reflects both the quality of Pierpont students and the willingness of regional employers to invest in the next generation of energy and industrial workforce professionals.
“Our employer partners consistently tell us they’re impressed by the preparedness and work ethic of our students,” Lillard said. “These internships are more than summer experiences. They’re creating career pathways, building the workforce pipeline and giving students a clear vision for what comes next after graduation.”
The Applied Process Technology program prepares students for careers in energy systems operations, instrumentation and controls, natural gas processing, power generation, industrial maintenance and related technical fields. Through partnerships with industry leaders throughout the region, students gain both classroom instruction and practical experience designed to meet workforce needs across West Virginia and beyond.
Pierpont Community & Technical College provides accessible, responsive, and high‑quality education to students and businesses across North Central West Virginia. With a strong focus on career readiness and workforce development, Pierpont offers academic programs and industry‑aligned training that create clear pathways to employment. Through this work, the college helps students discover their path while supporting the region’s economic and workforce needs.
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