HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 18, 2019) – Through the ongoing “Made in Henderson County” partnership, Henderson County Public Schools, Blue Ridge Community College, the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, and local industry partners will be launching a new “Made in Henderson County Manufacturing Apprenticeship” this spring for graduating seniors.
An official Apprenticeship NC program through the North Carolina Community College System, the program will offer students a tuition-free Mechatronics Engineering Certificate, earned over the course of three semesters. Throughout the internship, students will spend one day in the classroom at Blue Ridge Community College, and the rest of the week working at one of the partner companies: Elkamet, WestRock, Meritor, and GF Linamar. Students will earn a competitive salary throughout the process and are guaranteed a job offer upon completion of the program.
“The new Manufacturing Apprenticeship opportunity is a perfect example of our community partners working together in support of our students,” said Dr. Wendy Frye, HCPS Director of High Schools.
“Industry leaders from our four partner companies have met frequently with HCPS and BRCC staff over the past months, facilitated by the HCPED, to create a program that would best fit their employment needs as well as the needs of our graduates,” said Frye. “We truly appreciate the commitment shown by this group and hope we can replicate this model into other career pathways.”
Informational sessions will be held at each HCPS high school from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7 for interested students and educators to learn more about the program:
Innovative High Schools (2 sessions) – Jan. 31 @ 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
West Henderson High – Feb. 1 @ 9:15 a.m.
East Henderson High – Feb. 5 @ 9:30 a.m.
Hendersonville High – Feb. 5 @ 2:15 p.m.
North Henderson High – Feb. 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
Parents are encouraged to attend one of the two kickoff events at Blue Ridge Community College on February 13 at 5:30 p.m. or March 16 at 10 a.m. to learn more about the apprenticeship program. Participating companies will be offering group or individual tours in late spring for interested families.
Applications for the “Made in Henderson County Manufacturing Apprenticeship” are available online at www.madeinhendersoncounty.com/apprenticeship and should be submitted by April 1. Selected students will start the program with a condensed pre-apprenticeship course on May 15.
About “Made in Henderson County”
Made in Henderson County is a coordinated effort established to enhance the connection between manufacturing businesses and Henderson County Public Schools, while telling the story of manufacturing, the products that are made here, and the people who make them. The effort to enhance connectivity between manufacturing businesses and the school system is focused on raising the visibility of manufacturing as a viable career path to ensure that Henderson County students have diverse employment opportunities in the community, and manufacturing businesses have access to skilled, local talent.
Since 2012, HCPS and The Partnership have brought career building and workforce development training to local middle and high schoolers through “Made in Henderson County” industry tours that showcase local manufacturing opportunities. Beginning in 2017, an annual Made in Henderson County Job Fair connected high school seniors with local employment opportunities that students with little work experience or applicable skillset would be eligible for immediately upon graduation. Visit www.madeinhendersoncounty.com for more information.
