Apprenticeship Wayne celebrated two milestones yesterday.
The program that administers registered apprenticeships at Wayne Community College acknowledged the 85th anniversary of the passage of the National Apprenticeship Act and welcomed four new employer partners.
In her proclamation declaring Nov. 14-20, 2022 as National Apprenticeship Week, WCC President Patty Pfeiffer said, “Wayne Community College recognizes the urgent need to prepare and maintain an inclusive, diverse and highly-skilled workforce that is capable of meeting the demands of the industry we serve and fortifying our economy.”
Pfeiffer noted that for every $1.00 invested in an apprentice in this state, the employer sees a $1.70 return.
“We are providing tangible value to both employers and apprentices, with the potential to increase productivity, improve diversity and inclusion, and reduce recruitment and training costs while providing a pathway to prosperous careers. Apprenticeships are another way we are changing lives,” Pfeiffer said.
“We currently partner with 10 different businesses and serve 48 apprentices and today, we are adding four partners more to this elite group,” Apprenticeship Coordinator Kristie Sauls said.
The existing partners are Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, Butterball, Coker Feed Mill, County of Wayne (Facility Services), Franklin Baking Company, Linamar Forgings Carolina Inc., Mt. Olive Pickle Company, North Carolina Manufacturing, Inc., Prolec-GE Waukesha, and Smithfield Foods. With them, WCC offers apprenticeships in industrial maintenance, swine management, and machining.
Sauls announced that four new businesses representing four new career fields will be starting apprenticeships in the spring 2023 semester. They are Deacon Jones Auto Group – automotive technician, Jackson and Sons Heating and Air Conditioning – heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technician, UNC Health Wayne – sterilization technician, and Wayne County Public Schools – teacher education.
While the program currently allows apprentices to work four days and attend college-credit classes one day a week for three and a half to four years, two of the new apprenticeships – sterilization technician and HVAC technician – will provide short-term training through the college’s Workforce Continuing Education division.
Other employers and more fields are in the works. “We have just begun to scratch the surface of apprenticeship opportunities,” said Sauls. “I am truly excited to see the future of Apprenticeship Wayne, and I can’t wait to see just how many more apprentices we have join our herd in 2023.”
“Apprenticeship is not something that just happens over time, but with patience, it is a program that truly has to opportunity to change the lives of everyone involved,” Sauls said.
To learn more, go to the Apprenticeship Wayne website or contact Sauls by email ori919-739-7063.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 165 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.