100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Keith Shearon, director of Customized Training at Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

VGCC provides customized training programs tailored to meet the needs of a company and its employees. Classes are flexible in design to accomplish specific objectives and are jointly planned by company managers and training specialists from the College.

Funded by the State of North Carolina, Shearon said these programs offer companies training that assists with plant expansions, technological advancements and productivity enhancements.

Pioneered in 1958 to enhance economic development in NC by way of a well-trained and educated workforce, customized training was, and continues to be, a key part in attracting new companies and retaining existing companies, explained Shearon.

Examples of VGCC’s customized training courses include:

• Computer Training
• Communication Skills
• Customer Service
• Environmental
• Leadership
• Management
• Quality Control
• Safety & Health
• Team Training
• Technical & Engineering
• Vocational Trade

Eligible industry sectors include manufacturing, technology-intensive, life sciences, regional or national warehousing and distribution centers, business and technical support centers, air courier services and national headquarters with operations outside of NC.

As an example, Shearon said customized training would be appropriate when a manufacturer purchases equipment and needs to train employees on how to operate the new technology. The company’s management would contact VGCC to schedule an assessment and map out a training plan for employees before and/or after hire.

With five projects currently underway, Shearon said companies are reaching out to VGCC’s Customized Training Program for assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have this struggle going on in our economic situation right now,” stated Shearon. “We have some companies that are growing despite the situation, and we have other companies that are struggling because of the situation. A lot of companies are trying to figure out how to use the resources they have available to them to carry on the best that they can.”

While VGCC is typically regarded in the community as a place to register for courses that will lead to the completion of a degree or a diploma, Shearon said the College has much to offer in terms of shorter-term training and business guidance as well.

For more information on VGCC’s Customized Training Program, please contact Shearon at (252) 738-3433, shearonj@vgcc.edu or visit the website at https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/industry-services/.

To hear the interview with Shearon in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

(This is not a paid advertisement)