On Friday, November 18th NENC Career Pathways held our quarterly meeting focused on Advanced Manufacturing. You can find the agenda here and links to slides below. We had six partner spotlights – 5 minute blocks of time to share an innovative best practice.
Dr. Elsami and Dr. Rawat from Elizabeth City State University shared about a recent grant from NASA as well as scholarship opportunities for transfer students. Todd Borghesani (NCEast Alliance) gave a brief overview of Rivers East Academy, a teacher externship program focused on connections with local community colleges and employers. Center for Energy Educations’ Whitney Sessoms provided great information about the programs offered to students and for the community. Scott Panagrosso with ApprenticeshipNC reviewed the benefits of apprenticeship for employers and apprentices. Sara Lee Training Manager Charles Gilmore noted the amazing partnerships the company has with Edgecombe Community College, Turning Point WDB, TCI Works and others to help meet their needs. Finally, Duna Long (Turning Point WDB) shared a great video explaining how the Workforce Board is integrated into the community and then quizzed us with local trivia, helping the audience to learn more about local businesses and better understand the opportunities available “In Your Backyard.”
After a boisterous networking break, we returned to hear from Lamont Fenner, Senior Liability Engineer at Westrock. Mr. Fenner shared with us how the company partners locally to help build and maintain their talent pools. He noted that many of their newer workers had completed RampEast Pre-Apprenticeship program through Halifax Community College, gaining not only credentials like OSHA 10 and Lean Six Sigma, but also essential employability skills. Mr. Fenner noted that these workers also created a camaraderie through this process which seems to have helped them transition into their new positions. Next Dr. Jeffery Fields, Vice President of Student Affairs, expanded on the Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities by highlighting the Clean Energy Youth Apprenticeship (CEYA) initiative. We finished with a quick success story featuring Calvin Barber, a RampEast graduate who used that opportunity to gain employment in the maintenance department with the City of Roanoke Rapids. Mr. Barber now reports that he will attend NCA&T next semester as he continues the journey along his chosen career path.
About a dozen attendees stuck around after the meeting to tour the Advanced Manufacturing building. We toured the beautiful new facility which boasts a well-stocked maker space, a spacious training room and several high tech labs. Faculty from Electrical, Welding and Automotive areas were on hand to share about their facilities and students, as well as answer questions. In Automotive, we were even able to observe students working on a vehicle and using technology to help them troubleshoot. Big THANKS to Dr. Fields along with the wonderful faculty and staff at Halifax Community College who hosted our meeting.
