Six students sign for debt-free education and careers through Skilled Trades Scholarship Program

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (June 5, 2026) — Local leaders, state representatives, students and families gathered at Constellium in Ravenswood on Friday, June 5 to celebrate six students selected for the seventh cohort of the Constellium Skilled Trades Scholarship Program during the annual Skilled Trades Signing Ceremony.

The event, held at Constellium’s facility in Jackson County, celebrated the students’ selection into the highly competitive program and featured remarks from Constellium leadership, WVU Parkersburg President Torie Jackson and Dr. Chris Treadway, vice chancellor of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, before students officially signed scholarship agreements.

The Skilled Trades Scholarship Program is a partnership between Constellium and WVU Parkersburg that provides scholarships to selected students pursuing an Associate Science degree in either Multi-Craft Technology or Reliability and Maintenance Technology. After completing their associate degree, students commit to employment with Constellium as part of the scholarship requirements.

The Class of 2026 includes: Matthew Balis; Jake Roberts; Benjamin Redman; Landyn Keefer; Christian Lyons; and Levi Boyce.

“Students earn a two-year associate degree and begin their careers with Constellium after graduation,” said Brian McCallie, vice president of operations at Constellium Ravenswood. “It’s a win for students, a win for families and a win for Constellium because we’re developing local talent while creating opportunities for young people to build successful careers close to home.”

Now in its seventh year, the program attracts applicants from across the region through a competitive selection process that includes applications and interviews. Students’ graduate debt-free and enter the workforce with a secured position at Constellium, helping strengthen West Virginia’s skilled workforce and retain talent in the state.

“What these students are signing up for today deserves every bit of the recognition we give to athletic signings,” Treadway said. “They are committing to careers in advanced manufacturing, strengthening West Virginia’s workforce and helping build the future of an industry that is already contributing to historic achievements, including NASA’s Artemis missions.”

Jackson emphasized the value of the partnership and the support available to students throughout their educational journeys.

“At WVU Parkersburg, we’re proud to provide students with the education, support and industry connections they need to succeed,” Jackson said. “Partnerships like this demonstrate what is possible when education and industry work together to create opportunities for students and strengthen our communities.”

Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, local elected officials and community leaders joined Constellium and WVU Parkersburg in celebrating the scholarship recipients and the program’s continued impact on workforce development in West Virginia.

For scholarship recipients, the program represents more than financial support — it provides a direct pathway from education to employment in a high-demand industry.

“I wasn’t originally planning to go to college, but this opportunity changed that,” said Christian Lyons, a scholarship recipient pursuing the electrical pathway. “It opens a lot of career paths for me, and I’m excited about attending WVU Parkersburg and beginning a career with Constellium.”

Several students also highlighted the opportunity to remain close to home while pursuing their education and future careers.

“This is an incredible opportunity, and the signing ceremony made the accomplishment feel even more rewarding,” said Landyn Keefer, who will also pursue the electrical pathway. “WVU Parkersburg is close to home and has the kind of environment where I feel I can succeed, and I’m excited to follow in the footsteps of family members who have built careers at Constellium.”

The ceremony concluded with students signing official agreements marking the start of their academic and professional journeys.