MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – Officials at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College say they are working to fill a big need in the work force with their Applied Laboratory Technician Certificate program.
Associate Dean of Career Advancement Cynthia Hull said area employers frequently request graduates from the program to work in manufacturing facilities such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food, or waste water treatment.
“It turns out that there is a big demand in this area for these individuals,” she told MetroNews affiliate WEPM.
Hull said they have companies like Randox Laboratories in Kearneysville or Procter & Gamble in Maritnsburg that are interested in their students even before they graduate.
“They say ‘we need people who know techniques,” Hull said. “They understand research, they understand theory. They have no techniques.”
She said the P&G plant alone will need a significant number of qualified people to meet their needs.
“Procter & Gamble’s estimating about 130 by the time that they’re in full production, so there’s a huge need for these technicians.”
She said many of the ancillary businesses drawn by P&G will need the technicians as well.
“It’s definitely employer driven,” she said. “I feel like I’m talking to more employers than students.”
The program runs on an eight week semester schedule to expedite the process.
“We’re getting them up and trained in a minimal amount of time. Instead of doing 16 week semesters, they’re doing eight week semesters to get these people trained and get them out for employment.”
Hull said the graduates have the opportunity to apply for good paying jobs with these companies.
Three area high school seniors are currently spending part of their day at Blue Ridge taking the courses.
Hull said the training will give them a real edge when it comes to entering the work force next spring.
“At that point they would be either employable or can finish their Associate Degree and be really employable.”