Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

CCC&TI Apprenticeship Caldwell

Apprenticeship Caldwell

About Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is an employer-based program that helps workers learn specialized skills needed in today’s work environment, combining on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction. Students earn nationally recognized credentials, while employers develop a talented team and close the skills gap. While many people start apprenticeships immediately after graduating from high school, they may also work well for veterans leaving active-duty military service, those looking to change careers, or people whose jobs are being replaced by technology. CCC&TI’s goal is to help connect and support employers and apprentices.

Today’s apprenticeships cover a wide range of industries and occupations. Large and small companies across North Carolina and around the world use apprenticeship to train their employees and build a skilled workforce.

Types of apprenticeships

Pre-Apprenticeship is for high school students who have an interest in the specific field and want to work for the employer full- or part-time. The pre-apprentices are paid and are often offered full apprenticeships upon graduation from high school.

Apprenticeship NC Infographic

Registered or full apprenticeships are for students who have selected their career pathway and want to train in all aspects of the occupation as they work full- or part-time. Registered apprenticeships also provide a wage scale that increases based on experience and skills learned.

Why choose an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a great alternative pathway to a successful career. Benefits of apprenticeship include:

  1. Hands-on learning and job-related classroom or technical training
  2. Wages that increase as new skills are learned
  3. Earn national credentials, certifications, or college degrees
  4. Jump-start your career, supporting yourself and your family while learning
  5. Local employers offering apprenticeships give you the opportunity for a career close to home

Is an apprenticeship right for me/my student?

Not every student wants to immediately head off to a university to earn a 4-year degree. For students that prefer hands-on learning, want to go right to work, prefer to stay closer to family, or would like their education partly or fully paid for, apprenticeship can be the right choice. In some cases, employers pay for 100 percent of the training costs; in others, the community colleges work with employers to obtain grant funding that covers these costs.

We often have parents or guardians say apprenticeship sounds too good to be true. It’s not. Apprenticeship is a win-win for employers and students.

How does an apprenticeship work?

Most apprenticeships range from one to four years, with the apprentice earning a nationally recognized credential (or journeyperson’s certificate) after completing the program. The training programs are structured, with most programs including both hands-on and classroom education. Apprentices are paid for learning hours and work hours based on a scale that includes wage increases at specific achievement points.


High school students

Apprenticeship can play a valuable role in preparing high school students for future careers in a competitive economy. CCC&TI offers pre-apprenticeships that allow participants to explore an industry in the classroom or on the job before they decide to pursue a career. Participants who plan to pursue a registered apprenticeship with one of our local partners can also earn credits that carry over to their field of interest.

Students who start in a qualifying pre-apprenticeship program while in high school and enroll in a registered apprenticeship program within 120 days of graduation qualify for the youth apprenticeship tuition waiver at a North Carolina community college.

Pre-apprenticeship requirements:

  • Be at least 17 years old
  • Be a junior or senior in high school
  • Have good attendance and be in good academic standing or be recommended by the high school principal or designee

Available pre-apprenticeship training:

  • Automotive Tech Specialist
  • Biopharmaceutical Process Technician
  • Construction
  • Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP)
  • Welding

Trade-Up Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Trade-Up Pre-Apprenticeship Program for high school juniors and seniors ages 16 to 18 and recent graduates with an interest and aptitude for a career in construction-related skilled trades. For info, visit: www.cccti.edu/tradeup

For more information, complete the High School Apprenticeship Interest Form


Registered Apprenticeship

Registered apprenticeship is a training program designed to meet the needs of the employer by providing the employee on-the-job training with progressive wage scale and the opportunity to pursuing a degree, diploma, certificate or other professional credential through CCC&TI.

Registered apprentices earn state and national credentials that is transferable across the United States (issued by the US Department of Labor)

Available apprenticeships:

  • Automotive Tech Specialist
  • Biopharmaceutical Process Technician
  • Construction
  • Electrical Lineworker
  • Industrial Maintenance Technician
  • Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP)
  • Welding

APPRENTICESHIP CALDWELL INDUSTRY PARTNERS:

  • Automated Solutions
  • Bemis Manufacturing
  • Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
  • Exela Pharma Science
  • Fleet Genius (Formerly Bakers Waste Equipment)
  • Woodgrain Millworks

For more information, complete the Registered Apprenticeship Interest Form


Employers

How apprenticeships benefit businesses

ApprenticeshipNC has one goal in mind: To help employers build a skilled workforce through on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction. Your ApprenticeshipNC team of dedicated consultants coordinate with your team and your local community college to develop a custom registered apprenticeship program that meets your specific needs. Some of the benefits include:

  • Apprenticeships work for businesses of all sizes
  • Assistance with grants to cover education and other costs
  • Improved workforce diversity
  • Increased productivity and employee engagement
  • Reduced search and recruitment costs
  • Reduced turnover and heightened loyalty
  • Training supported by your local community college

ApprenticeshipNC helps workers learn specialized skills needed in today’s work environment. With an employer-driven model, we help combine on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction.

North Carolina apprenticeship incentives for 2022

The NC General Assembly recently approved $12 million in funding to expand apprenticeship in the state (Session Law 2021-180 Section 6.14). The $12 million is being used to provide funds for employers to add new apprentices ages 16-25 based on the following criteria:

  • Apprentices must be hired effective July 1, 2022, or later (you may register your apprenticeship program prior to 7/1 and enroll apprentices after that date to take advantage of the funding)
  • $2,500 per year for apprentice’s tuition, books, and fees
  • $2,000 per year for employers to onboard and train apprentices
  • Funding will be coordinated through the NC Community College System
  • Funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026
  • Pre-apprenticeships are not eligible for these incentives
  • Small businesses within Tier 1 & 2 counties in sectors with high-demand careers (no more than 500 employees in the location)
  • Up to $15/hr. (non-high school) and up to $14/hr. (high school) salary match (50% reimbursement)

How does my business start an apprenticeship?

If you are ready to learn more about apprenticeship, contact Business and Career Services Associate Dean Rick Shew at 828-759-4635 or rshew@cccti.edu. They will coordinate a meeting with the apprenticeship consultant.

Who can be an apprentice?

  • Apprenticeships are for anyone looking to jump-start a new career or begin their career in an in-demand field.
  • An apprentice must be at least 16 years old. For more information and rules regarding youth employment, visit the N.C. Department of Labor's website, https://www.labor.nc.gov/workplace-rights/youth-employment-rules, or call NCDOL at 1-800-625-2267.
  • Employers interested in developing a youth apprenticeship program should download the North Carolina Youth Apprenticeship Guide. It contains information on philosophy and best practices for starting and operating a youth apprenticeship program.

Basic requirements of an apprenticeship program

  • Employ apprentices full time
  • Pair apprentices with experienced mentors
  • Train apprentices in all phases of the occupation
  • Coordinate on-the-job learning and related instruction to maximize effectiveness of training. Employers can partner with community colleges, universities, vocational or technical schools, industry associations and labor organizations for related instruction. Some employers choose to offer it in-house.
  • Have a desire to develop a skilled workforce!

View the Registered Apprenticeship Pays Dividends document to see how registered apprentices can benefit your company.

For more information, complete the Employer's Apprenticeship Interest Form