(Pinehurst, NC) - Finding and retaining skilled employees can be a challenge but paid apprenticeships can offer a proven solution. Recently Sandhills Community College has signed on two apprentice locations with First Health and Christian Child Development Center to make the hiring process easy, seamless and beneficial for their businesses. The partnership is orchestrated through Apprenticeship NC, a vetted and registered program offered by the North Carolina Community College system.

 

“FirstHealth welcomes this collaborative relationship with Sandhills Community College to offer work-based programs with accredited classroom instruction in the skilled professions we need,” said Carolyn Helms, MDIV, BSN, Director of FirstFutures at FirstHealth of the Carolinas. “We see the program as mutually beneficial in several ways. The apprenticeship model cultivates employer loyalty and trust in parallel with a student’s increased skill and productivity. In this way, students gain confidence in a long-term career path while being a valued member of the FirstHealth team. Partnering with Sandhills Community College ensures local students can develop health care careers here and remain to care for the communities we serve.”

 

First Health and Christian Child Development Center are the first two organizations to sign onto the program for a Maintenance Engineer and Childcare Development Specialist respectively. Students are hired as employees and receive compensation while continuing their classes at Sandhills Community College. Upon completion of the apprenticeship and courses, the student may be offered a position in a full-time capacity.

 

"We are thrilled to Partner with the Apprenticeship Program at Sandhills Community College. Hands-on learning is the foundation of Early Childhood Development, so the experiential learning experience will provide our future teachers with the chance to learn the profession as they collaborate with veteran teachers to create wonderful opportunities for the employers, the SCC students, and the children," added Vicki Mehta, President Emerita, Christian Child Development Center.

The staff at Sandhills Community College serves as a partner to build a customized apprenticeship program that meets an employer’s industry specific needs without adding extra workload to their team. Employers can then:

 

Pre-apprenticeship programs are also accessible for high school students to go straight into the workforce with a participating employer while furthering their education, and later transition into a full-time apprentice position with the support and supervision of Sandhills Community College. The overall experience facilitates time toward a degree and a job.

 

“We are thrilled to get the North Carolina apprenticeship program launched at Sandhills Community College within the community we’re here to serve,” said President Alexander “Sandy” Stewart. “What could be better than getting a future employee under your training while they are also in college getting the education they need to meet the specific job demand upon completion? It’s a win-win.”

 

Sandhills continues to partner with the USGA to offer instruction for the greenskeeper apprenticeship program registered through ApprenticeshipNC. The college also collaborates with Enterprise on a paid collision repair training program that operates independently from Apprenticeship NC.

 

“This program allows the employer the benefits of an apprenticeship program without the administrative burden,” said Stewart. “We are committed to making workforce development simple, effective, and valuable for businesses in Moore and Hoke counties. Most importantly we’re determined to see that the talents our students can stay local and contribute to the success and growth of our communities and economy.”

 

For businesses eager to explore how an apprenticeship can help their business grow, please send inquiries to workplacelearning@sandhills.edu or call: 910-246-4969.

 

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Photo: Sandhills Community College early childhood students practice techniques to teach and instruct young children. A current student will be assuming a new apprenticeship program with Christian Child Development Center in Carthage to have a hands-on, paid experience while continuing classes. Another student will be working with FirstHealth. Both positions could lead to full-time positions upon completion.