Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Showcases Industry-Leading Manufacturing Programs

Berkeley County, West Virginia, is supported by multiple education partners that focus heavily on workforce development. These schools and training centers make hiring easier by turning students into candidates with the essential skills needed to succeed. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College was recently in the news for its state-of-the-art plastics lab, and continues to make an impact by working alongside local manufacturing firms.

On Friday, October 2, Blue Ridge CTC hosted an event with the West Virginia Manufacturers Association that brought together local business leaders, school staff, and students preparing to enter manufacturing roles. The event recognized National Manufacturing Day from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  

“Manufacturing continues to evolve as demand for products shifts and new processes, like automation, are adopted across the industry,” says Jennifer Smith, Executive Director of the Berkeley County Development Authority. “This event highlighted how the local workforce is ready to pivot and use essential skills to succeed in the companies they work for.”

This strong partnership between Blue Ridge CTC and major community employers will help Berkeley County grow and build a diverse, sustainable economy. 

The Program Included Presentations and Tours

The Manufacturing Day celebration at Blue Ridge CTC featured a mixture of presenters from different areas of economic development. Congressman Riley Moore was the keynote speaker, and local manufacturing companies were also invited to discuss their firms and the role that workforce development plays in their success. Other speakers included:

• Dr. Peter Checkovich, President of Blue Ridge CTC
• Chris Strovel, the Field Representative for U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito
• Bill Bissett and Jennifer Piercy from the WV Manufacturers Association

A Blue Ridge CTC student also shared their experience at the college and highlighted the role education will play in securing employment. Blue Ridge CTC students also gave facility tours with live automation demonstrations that highlighted how they learn from elite equipment and modern devices. 

Labor is a Major Challenge Facing Manufacturers Nationwide 

Blue Ridge CTC is directly addressing one of the biggest pain points in manufacturing across the United States. Nearly half of all manufacturing companies (48%) say they face moderate to significant challenges in filling roles.

“Talent shortage can be caused by several economic forces, including an aging workforce and tight competition for tech-savvy workers,” says Lisa Schwarz, Senior Director of Global Product Marketing at Oracle.

According to Deloitte, the top concern for a third of employers (out of 600 surveyed) is “equipping workers with the skills and knowledge they need to maximize the potential of smart manufacturing and operations.”

Deloitte outlines three options for staffing: build, buy, and borrow. Recruiting talent can get expensive, while hiring temporary or contract workers limits institutional knowledge and, therefore, long-term growth. By investing in talent – and in organizations like Blue Ridge CTC that produce qualified candidates – manufacturers can build a skilled workforce that grows with their employers. 

Manufacturers Need Workers Interested in Future Technology

There is a lot of opportunity for students interested in manufacturing and in technologies that streamline operations. According to MarketScale, 80% of all United States factories lack automation as of 2026. However, most feel like artificial intelligence is an important innovation that can improve their processes. There’s a significant gap between ambition and execution that companies are looking to overcome.

Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation, agrees that interest in AI is high, but companies struggle with implementation.

Manufacturers are looking to hire workers who are curious about technology's capabilities and want to explore potential solutions and implementation methods. This is another way that Blue Ridge CTC shines. Its facilities prepare students to enter the workforce now while also introducing them to the systems they could operate – and even develop – in the near future. 

Berkeley County is Keeping Up With Manufacturing Demand 

Manufacturing represents 7% of all jobs and 10% of economic output in West Virginia. Berkeley County’s strategic location near the coast and major interstates makes it an in-demand community for manufacturing investment. The location is even better because of the local workforce. Events like the Manufacturing Day luncheon at Blue Ridge CTC highlight how strong partnerships benefit the entire community, fostering short-term growth while setting local companies up for success for decades to come.

Want to learn more about Berkeley County? We’re happy to brag about it. Contact the BCDA and ask about major employers, workforce partners, and available opportunities to bring your business here.