Latest news from MAMC

AUGUST 2026

--INDUSTRY TRAINING--

MAMC career skills programs post record fall enrollment

---As industry demand for skilled workers grows in our region, so, too, does the number of students enrolling in Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center’s (MAMC) career skills programs.

---For fall 2026, MAMC welcomed a record 71 new students in Machinist Technology/CNC, Welding Technology and Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology (SMART).

---MAMC offers machinist and welding courses in Huntington and the SMART Program in Huntington and Point Pleasant in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College. The machinist program also is offered in South Charleston in partnership with BridgeValley Community and Technical College.

---Students earn nationally recognized industry credentials, one-year certificate degrees and two-year associate of applied science degrees through MAMC’s college partners.

---“Our recent workforce survey found that area companies need to hire nearly 7,000 new manufacturing workers over the next three years, including 541 machinists, 496 welders and 696 industrial maintenance technicians,” said MAMC Director Derek Scarbro. “We’re exciting that so many people have enrolled in our in-demand

programs, which will prepare them to earn good wages locally, help meet industry demand for skilled talent and build the manufacturing base here in West Virginia.”

Read the article

-WV MAKES FESTIVAL--

Enter our Design Challenge to win your share of $4,100 in prizes!

---The 2026 West Virginia Makes Festival is putting a price on creativity – and the top prize is worth $2,500.

---Creative thinkers of all ages can compete in the festival’s annual Design Challenge for a chance to win cash and other prizes. The first-place winner in the Adult Category will receive $2,500, while second place will earn $750 and third place $250. In the Youth Category, the first-place winner will receive $300, followed by $200 for second place and $100 for third.

---Presented each year since 2014 by Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC), the festival will take place Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Student Center on the Huntington campus of Marshall University. The free event, which coincides with National Manufacturing Day, celebrates creativity, ingenuity, innovation and making.

---“The Design Challenge is really about giving people a place to showcase what they’ve imagined, designed and created,” said Tyler Brandstetter, organizer of the annual MAMC

event. “There’s no single formula for success, and we encourage individuals to bring something that reflects their personal creativity and interests.”

----------------------------------------Read the article

Click here to register

-ISTUDENT SUCCESS--

MAMC career skills graduate finds his niche as professional machinist

James Adkins of Mason County enjoys the variety of his job as a machinist at Mouldagraph Corp. in Nitro. "To me, what makes a good machinist is problem solving. Everything you deal with is a problem, and there's not always one right answer."

---James Adkins of Mason County has always enjoyed working with his hands, but it wasn’t until high school that he realized machining could become a career. Growing up near Apple Grove, just outside of Point Pleasant, he enrolled in machining courses at the Mason County Career Center during his junior and senior years. His experience sparked a fascination he couldn’t shake.

---“I became interested in the program in high school,” Adkins said. “I took machining in vocational school, and when MAMC was mentioned, I saw how much it was another level of what I had done. It just sparked my interest.”

---After graduating from Hannan Junior/Senior High School in 2024, Adkins enrolled in the Machinist Technology/CNC Program offered by Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College.

Read the article

-WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT--

MAMC strengthens workforce through apprenticeships in 33 states

--- Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) is bridging the skills gap in American manufacturing by delivering workforce solutions through Apprenticeship Works, the National Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Partnership.

---Apprenticeship Works now assists companies in West Virginia and 32 other states in overcoming workforce challenges by establishing and maintaining U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs in 18 high-demand industrial occupations – and this number is growing.

---“Apprenticeships provide a structured framework for upskilling incumbent workers and training new hires,” said MAMC Apprenticeship Unit Director Heather Cooper. “Data show that apprenticeships boost employee retention and improve efficiency and safety. They’re also a great way to ensure the vast institutional knowledge of veteran employees isn’t lost when they retire but instead is transferred to the next generation of workers.”

-------------------------------------------Read the article

Pre-apprenticeships offer state

students jump starts on careers

---MAMC’s pre-apprentice program for high school students enrolled in manufacturing-related classes at career and technical education centers has grown to 10 West Virginia counties.

---Through an agreement with the state Department of Education, MAMC maps schools’ curriculum to U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards so students receive credit, creating a pathway into full apprenticeships at companies that participate in MAMC’s Apprenticeship Works. This also shortens the time it takes individuals to earn DOL journeywork certifications in select occupations while creating a pipeline of skilled talent for state manufacturers.

---To learn more about MAMC's pre-apprenticeship program, contact Apprenticeship Unit Director Heather Cooper at heather.cooper@mfg.marshall.edu or 304-720-7741.

--FACILITY EXPANSION--

Welding & Robotics Technology
Training Center nears completion

---Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center's new Advanced Welding & Robotics Training Center (top) on the former ACF Industries site in Huntington is nearing completion. Just 15 months ago, the old machine shop looked like this (right). Construction is scheduled to wrap in October and the facility will open in January 2027, enabling MAMC to double the number of welders, fabricators and robotics technicians it trains!

New briefs from
W.Va. manufacturers

Greenbrier County's Seven Rivers expands into manufacturing sector

---Seven Rivers Design & Build, a custom home designer and builder located in Maxwelton, Greenbrier County, has expanded into the manufacturing sector with the introduction of a line of pre-built homes.

---The company has added an 11,000 square foot production facility and is currently expanding with additional workstations and storage space. New manufacturing technology includes an automated cross-cut saw, electronic auto-pusher, hydraulic finishing tables and a new design software interface to create individual panels that are then assembled into the pre-built homes.

---Seven Rivers has added 12 employees as a result of the expansion, including fabrication and production teams, and officials anticipate bringing on additional staff as production ramps up, according to Cynthia Heller, Director of Strategy and Business Development.

---Heller said the company began selling the panelized units last year during an 18-month beta test of its products and processes and plans to fully introduce the line of pre-built homes in early 2027.

---To learn more about Seven Rivers, visit www.sevenriversdesignbuild.com.

Share your good news! Email a brief summary (who, what, when, where, why and how – if applicable) to our Mike Friel at mike.friel@mfg.marshall.edu. Let the world know great things are happening in the regional manufacturing sector.

UPCOMING PARTNER EVENTS & TRAINING

Sept. 2: Workforce WV Virtual Job Fair

2 p.m. to 3 p.m. online
Workforce West Virginia’s monthly Statewide Virtual Job Fair connects job seekers directly with employers who are hiring. Participants can interact in real-time text chat, direct camera interviews and by pre-recorded video questions with a wide variety of employers from across the state. Click the link below to register, upload your resume and view participating employers before the live event. More information

Sept. 15: Amplifying Your Brand & Reaching Customers

10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., online

Learn low-cost strategies to optimize your online profiles, target your local market and leverage U.S. Small Business Administration resources to reach new customers. More information

Sept. 17: Business Value Builder Summit

Noon to 5 p.m., Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington

Marshall University’s iCenter’s (Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) will host its inaugural Business Value Builder Summit to bring together business owners, family business leaders, startup founders, CEOs and executive teams for an afternoon focused on building stronger, more valuable companies. Through conversations on growth, transition and exit strategies, attendees will explore how intentional leadership, scalable systems and value creation can help businesses thrive at every stage of their journey. More information

Sept. 17: Financially Fit: Smart Money Management for Small Businesses

4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., 210 11th St., Huntington
This Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce business roundtable will discuss practical financial management strategies and resources available to small business owners, including loans, lines of credit, investment opportunities, cash flow management and other tools to support business growth. Panelists will share insights and tips to help entrepreneurs better understand their financial options, strengthen their financial knowledge and feel more confident navigating the financial side of their businesses. More information

Sept. 23: Translating Federal Contracting Government-ese

10 a.m. to 11 a.m., online

IDIQ, REA, CPIF, full and open, Ability One. These are just a sampling of the terms and acronyms that are thrown about in federal contracting. In this session, U.S. Small Business Administration professionals will review many of the more common terms used by federal contracting staff so small businesses can better bridge the communications gap and integrate more easily in the federal market. More information

Sept. 24: Veteran Small Business Certification Program Overview

10 a.m. to 11 a.m., online

Becoming certified as a veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small business gives you access to set-aside federal contracts, federal subcontracting, and federal surplus property. In this session, U.S. Small Business Administration professionals will discuss the VetCert program’s eligibility, benefits, and application process to help qualified businesses begin the journey to certification and success. More information

Sept. 24: Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Expo

5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Marshall Health Network Arena Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Huntington
Totally 80’s Rewind, the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce annual Business Expo, will take a trip back to the iconic 1980s with neon colors, retro music, vintage movies and games, and all the nostalgic vibes. Open to the public, the event offers the opportunity to connect with fellow business leaders and community members in a relaxed setting, enhancing your visibility and building valuable relationships. More information

Submit details about your events and training to MAMC's Mike Friel at mike.friel@mfg.marshall.edu.

﻿﻿﻿New briefs from﻿﻿W.Va. manufacturers

New briefs from
W.Va. manufacturers