Seniors sign with companies to be apprentices, gain workforce skills

ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County Schools recognized four Richmond Senior High School seniors who earned apprenticeships through the RCS Career and Technical Education Program.

These students have completed all of the necessary pre-requisite classes and internships through CTE, and have now signed on with their respective companies to prepare to join the workforce. Their 2-year Associate’s Degree will be paid for through the North Carolina Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Maples called these students the pioneers of this program.

“There will be many, many more to follow in your footsteps,” Maples said.

Richmond Community College President Dr. Dale McInnis said these students are on the cutting edge of building the necessary skills and knowledge that are in high demand today.

“This is the wave of the future,” McInnis said. “This is what’s happening across the rest of the country and the rest of the state.”

Career Development Coordinator Jason Perakis said this program is part of a larger goal from the RCS strategic plan: that every student graduates high school with a purposeful pathway, whether that be in higher education, industry, or the military.

“These guys are fortunate enough to be going to a 2-year college and into an industry,” Perakis said. “To see them take what they learned in class, and not only bring it to the workforce but make a difference, it’s like a proud parent moment. What they’ve done will pave the way for the next students.”’

A model for this program from last year was student William Evans Legette, who interned with Griffin Toyota, graduated high school, is taking classes at RCC, and is now an automotive technician specialist.

Eduardo Mendez Guerrero has been taking electric substation and carpentry classes, and has been interning with Volumetric Building Company | Manufacturing.

Now in his second month of working with VBC, Eduardo said he’s working on ceiling construction and nailing trusses.

VBC Training Manager Dr. Clifton Dial presented Eduardo with a certificate of appreciation, specifically for his assistance with bilingual workflows.

Dial said that post-COVID, they’ve had to outsource a lot of their work to contractors, a majority of whom only speak Spanish. Eduardo, along with assistance from his father, was able to make sure that the English to Spanish translations were as accurate as possible.

“You’re more than just a worker, [the apprentices] become a resource,” Dial said.

Citing Department of Labor Statistics from 2019, Dial said that the average construction worker is 47 years old.

“How do we refill that soon-to-be-exiting workforce?” Dial asked. “Through programs like this and relationships with the high schools and community colleges and with the community as a whole.”

Ahmad Shelton signed his apprenticeship with Superior Cranes. He said he’s learned how to do different drafting and welding skills that he can now apply outside the classroom.

“It’s something that you can use in life, be beneficial and teach other people,” Ahmad said. “It’s a way to get a jumpstart in life. A four-year college may not be for everybody.”

Ahmad said he would recommend this program to other students, and that it takes a lot of commitment, but it’s allowed him to finish his senior year strong.

All of the staff from the companies that have partnered with this program — VBC, Superior Cranes, East Coast Umbrella and Griffin Auto Body Shop — said that they wished this apprenticeship program had existed when they were younger.

Lori Wilson, East Coast Umbrella Graphic Supervisor, said their apprentice, Angel Smith, has done a good job fitting into their work environment and come out of his shell. Smith will be attending Sandhills Community College to study digital media.

Jonathan Sweetman signed on as an apprentice with Griffin Auto Body Shop.

McInnis said that moving forward, he hopes this apprenticeship signing generates as much interest as signing day does for student-athletes.

Perakis concluded by saying that, when he talks to companies about this partnership, he begins by saying how important it is for employers to “grow their own.” Dial agreed, saying that their respective fields are so specialized, they need to be the ones to train their future employees.

“Most of our older guys hold all the knowledge,” Dial said. “As they age out, we need a blend of old and new. You really need that person-to-person guidance from master to trainee. That’s why it’s important we get them in now.”