Aviation Innovation and Readiness West Virginia Program

About the Pathway

Thanks to a brand new program, West Virginia students will have a direct route to high-demand and high-wage careers in the aviation and aerospace industries through our new Aviation Innovation and Readiness West Virginia (AIRWV) Pathway. We developed the program in response to aviation representatives expressing interest in introducing students to the aviation industry as a career option. Working closely with industry and higher education partners, AIRWV was created as a coordinated system that connects students to real careers and positions in the state. 

AIRWV is an industry-aligned program that introduces students in Grades K-12 to the aviation industry. Through a specially designed curriculum, students can participate in engaging experiences as they connect with unique learning opportunities at all grade levels. After high school, students can either enter the aviation workforce or continue their journey through college or university studies.

On May 28, State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt and Marshall University President Brad Smith signed a memorandum of understanding to commemorate the partnership between us and Marshall University. 

Career Opportunities

This program helps address the critical workforce shortage in the industry—17,000 technicians and mechanics in North America—by equipping students to train in either of the following specializations:

• Pilot
• Maintenance/technician
• Airport operations (including air traffic control)
• Aerospace engineering

Educators and instructors will begin their training in the summer of 2026, with the five pilot counties prepared to roll out the new offering this fall:

• Barbour
• Clay
• Jackson
• Kanawha
• Logan

More information on this pathway will be available at a later date.