The Customized Training Division of Sampson Community College recently awarded six Prestage Farms employees with their OSHA 30-hour General Industry certificates of completion and four employees with their OSHA 10-hour completion certificates. The certification centralized on their compliance efforts to implement and maintain safety regulations for the company, and Bill Prestage, president of Prestage Farms, says he is pleased with the partnership. “The Customized Training that SCC has provided has been invaluable for Prestage, and Dr. Aiken, SCC president, has been instrumental in maximizing our training efforts. SCC has been great to work with as they have helped guide our employees as well as the company. Partnering with Sampson Community College was a no-brainer for us.”

The four employees who completed their 10-hour certification were Vance King, Charles Tatum, Kevin Lee and Randy Raynor. The six employees who completed the 30-hour training consisted of Mark Pate, Randall Miller, Anthony Bryant, Jeffrey Beaman, William Crumpler and Jim Carr. They say they’re well pleased with the training and say they feel they’re at the top of their game. Jim Carr, feed mill manager of the Moltonville division, completed the program and says safety training through SCC was a perfect partnership. “Working with the SCC customized training division has been an ideal working relationship, because Prestage Farms is a safety conscious industry dedicated to maintaining the highest standard of excellence.” Mark Pate, industrial maintenance supervisor for Prestage Farms, who also completed the program, echoes the same sentiments, adding “Our guys have made remarkable progress in their safety knowledge, and the training we have received is priceless. We’re a home grown company dedicated to impacting the company as well as the local economy. Putting safety first is advantageous for all of us, and SCC has helped us maintain that commitment.”

Kate Brown, director of customized training at SCC, says a price tag can’t be put on safety, because it has far-reaching affects not just for the business but the entire county as well. “We thank Prestage Farms because they’re truly instrumental in helping to grow Sampson County. Not only do we work here, but we live here, and they’re making it a safer place for us all. On behalf of the program, it’s truly been a joy and privilege to work with their outstanding employees. It’s so rewarding to help them in their commitment to workplace safety.”

The customized training unit at Sampson Community College was created to provide occupational Extension courses to local business and industry as well as help upgrade skill levels and train present employees. Sampson Community College is continually committed to playing an active role in the continuing education of citizens of Sampson and surrounding counties. For more information about Customized Training, contact Kate Brown at (910) 592-7176.