Blue Ridge CTC Opens New Plastics Manufacturing Training and Education Lab in Martinsburg

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College has a brand new Plastics Manufacturing Training and Education Lab at its Technology Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The lab supports students seeking an Associate Degree in Plastics Engineering Technology, as well as those who need upskilling and certifications to advance their careers. The lab was developed specifically to meet the hiring and training needs of local employers.  

“The Plastics Manufacturing Training and Education Lab shows how the college works with business and industry partners, and listens carefully to their needs,” says Anne Myers, Executive Director of Business Development and Community Advancement at Blue Ridge CTC. “We took our time learning about the types of equipment students needed to use and worked with funding partners at the state, local, and federal levels to secure grants.”

Blue Ridge CTC held an official grand opening for the lab in August 2026, with several local employers in attendance, including Procter & Gamble, Technimark, Logoplaste, Rubbermaid, Parker Plastics, and Southeastern Container. 

The Lab Features Cutting-Edge Machines

The Plastics Manufacturing Training and Education Lab comprises different machines that support the local plastics industry. Not only will students learn how these machines work, but they will also develop skills to troubleshoot problems when they arise. This level of expertise is valuable when companies need to produce a certain number of bottles, caps, and other plastic packaging throughout the day.

The machines found in the lab include:

• Kautex Maschinenbau Model KCC Blow Molding – a blow molding machine for creating bottles and industrial containers. 
• Kautex Virtual Machine Training – a digital training system that allows students to work on simulations before handling real equipment. 
• NISSEI America ASB-12M – a stretch blow molding machine. 
• Husky HYLECTRIC 4.0 – a high-performance injection molding platform.

The Kautex simulator is a particularly valuable tool for Blue Ridge CTC. “I don’t believe there are many other institutions, if any, that have a simulator like this,” says Myers. “It allows us to do hands-on training before students ever touch a machine. They learn to follow protocols and become comfortable before starting real work.”

The college is already working with local companies to train employees on these machines. Logoplaste recently used the simulator to upskill existing team members and onboard new hires.

“The plastics lab creates a unique opportunity for the workforce in the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding region,” says Kim Moss, Director, Customized Training & Workforce Development at Blue Ridge CTC. “The new lab awards students, from start to finish, the ability to master the skills necessary to produce one of the most widely used products in the world. The skills associated with plastics engineering technology add another layer to the manufacturing landscape and workforce opportunities available in Berkeley County.”

Blue Ridge CTC Offers Invaluable Customized Training

The technical college is an immense asset to the Martinsburg business community because of its customized training. Its educators and administrators listen carefully to the needs of local companies and identify ways to fill training gaps and provide affordable, scalable learning options.

“We are very quick to act upon requests from our manufacturing partners,” says Myers.

Before the Plastics Manufacturing Training and Education Lab opened, P&G, Logoplaste, and Technimark were incubating in the technology center at Blue Ridge CTC. Their engineers and innovators were found across the Martinsburg campus. This existing relationship made it easy for the college to develop an in-depth plastics lab that is unlike any other in the country.

“We first started meeting with P&G a few years ago,” adds Myers. “The pandemic slowed this project down a bit, but we kept working to create a plastic manufacturing and training lab and finally had the funding and equipment to open its doors.”

The lab will support the manufacturing community as a whole, not just P&G and its partners. 

The Lab Sets Students Up for Success

The Plastics Manufacturing Training and Education Lab also aims to prepare students for their future careers. The college wants to provide hands-on engineering and manufacturing experience, making candidates more attractive to companies.

“The foundation of gainful employment for students is built through responsive business partnerships,” says Dr. Peter Checkovich, Founding President of Blue Ridge CTC. “For students, this lab represents the opportunity for a lucrative career. For business and industry,  his program creates a pipeline of skilled professionals to meet workforce needs.”

The college also understands that students seek out internships while taking classes and uses its partnerships with local companies to connect students with opportunities. This also gives them real-life experience before they fully enter the workforce and potentially creates pipelines in which interns become full-time employees.  

Explore Other Workforce Partners in Berkeley County 

Blue Ridge CTC is a strong asset to Martinsburg and one of multiple education partners supporting local industries. Learn more about the Berkeley County ecosystem and why more companies are moving here. See how your business can thrive here with the right resources to support your training and hiring needs.

Considering Berkeley County? Call us today. Just like the team at Human BioSciences, Inc., you’re in good hands when you move here.