FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2025
Fairmont, WV – Pierpont Community and Technical College continues to expand its career training opportunities with the launch of its new Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Program, designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in modern manufacturing. The 9-week training program, which begins this fall at Pierpont’s Advanced Technology Center, offers a hands-on, career-focused pathway into the industrial workforce.
The IMT Program covers essential topics, including mechanical systems, electrical components, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), hydraulics, pneumatics, mechatronics, and precision measurement tools. Students will also earn certifications in CPR, AED, and First Aid to ensure workplace safety and emergency readiness.
According to Caleb Davis, Career and Corporate Training Specialist at Pierpont Community and Technical College, “We’ve built this program to meet people where they are, whether they’re brand new to manufacturing or looking to grow in the field. It’s hands-on, fast-paced, and packed with certifications that employers recognize. If you like working with your hands and your brain, this is a great place to start.”
The program combines online learning with weekly in-person sessions and scheduled lab modules, allowing students to develop real-world skills while staying flexible. Those who complete the program will earn industry-recognized credentials from organizations like Festo and Snap-On, ending with a capstone simulation that mimics a real-world manufacturing environment.
“Pierpont Community and Technical College is committed to providing students with the skills they need to enter the workforce,” said David Beighley, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “The Industrial Manufacturing Technician Program reflects the strong work our Career and Corporate Training team has done to align education with industry needs. It’s built to deliver the skills employers are looking for in today’s manufacturing industry.”
The IMT Program is now open for enrollment, with two cohorts currently scheduled. The first cohort runs from October 6 to December 12, 2025, and the next cohort is scheduled from March 16 to May 15, 2026. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the initial bootcamp week, followed by weekly Thursday sessions and scheduled lab work.
“The IMT training program prepares students in the skills required to succeed in the manufacturing and mechanical industries,” said Blake Lillard, Assistant Professor and program coordinator of Applied Process Technology at Pierpont Community and Technical College. “The program focuses on technical skills through hands-on learning in Electrical Controls, PLCs, Fluid Power, and Mechanical Systems. These four pillars are the basis for multicraft technicians in the advancing field of manufacturing.”
Tuition is $2,000 and includes all course materials, supplies, and certification costs. Financial aid and payment plans are available.
For more information or to enroll, visit go.pierpont.edu/CCT or contact Pierpont’s Career and Corporate Training team at CCT@pierpont.edu or 304-367-4596.
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