ELIZABETHTOWN — The Elizabethtown Rotary Club was treated to a talk on Bladen Community College’s customized training program for Bladen County’s industries.

BCC Customized Training Center Director Charles Ray Peterson gave his fellow Rotarians an overview of the program and how it functions. He told the group that this program is one of the best economic tools in North Carolina. Peterson said the state has invested $8 million in the program across the community college system.

Peterson every county has a customized training program at their local community college with access to all types of resources including those housed at the college.

He said since joining Bladen Community College, he has taught 65 classes and trained about 507 people. Peterson said that about $74 million has been invested by those industries.

Peterson said that when a company invests in new equipment, they can train their employees how to operate it, if a company needs CPR classes, they can provide that, if a company requires OSHA training, the center can provide that as well.

“If they need 6 Sigma training, we can do it,” said Peterson.

Peterson said the Customized Training Center also will pay for third party training if necessary.

“I want to bring every penny of the $8 million to Bladen County,” said Peterson of the program.

He added that the program allows for a better trained workforce and better retention of employees. Peterson said a company only needs to have six people in order to be able to hold a training session. He added there are what is known as “open classes” that anyone can join.

Peterson was joined towards the end of the conversation by BCC President William Findt. He referred to Peterson’s retirement from DuPont and subsequent hiring as director of the training program as a “perfect union.”

Findt emphasized that every community college in North Carolina offers the Customized Training program.

In addition to serving as the director of Customized Training, Peterson is also honorary Rotarian with the Bladenboro Rotary Club and retired from DuPont Fayetteville Works. He also serves as chairman of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners.

Erin Smith can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal Charles Ray Peterson makes a point during his talk about the customized training program at Bladen Community College. Peterson is the director of the program at the school which is aimed at industries in the county.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Rotary2.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal Charles Ray Peterson makes a point during his talk about the customized training program at Bladen Community College. Peterson is the director of the program at the school which is aimed at industries in the county.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal BCC President Willaim Findt talks to the Elizabethtown Rotary Club about the Customized Training Program at Bladen Community College as Director Charles Ray Peterson looks on.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Rotary11.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal BCC President Willaim Findt talks to the Elizabethtown Rotary Club about the Customized Training Program at Bladen Community College as Director Charles Ray Peterson looks on.

By Erin Smith

erinsmith@civitasmedia.com