Experience meets education through local apprenticeship programs

Apprenticeships are on the rise.

A career pathway that allows individuals to get paid work experience, classroom instruction and credentials that apply to multiple careers, apprenticeships have grown 70% since 2011, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

“WakeWorks apprenticeships are a collaboration between the Wake County Board of Commissioners. They were really forward-thinking. I think it was 2018 or 2019, and the unemployment rate in the county was probably less than 3%, yet the board of commissioners recognized that there were pockets of higher unemployment, as well as a false good feeling — because a lot of people were working two jobs in order to make ends meet with no possible career paths,” said John Wojcik, senior director of WakeWorks Apprenticeship Training and Workforce Continuing Education. “People didn’t know that there was on-the-job training available through apprenticeship programs. So the board decided to set aside some funds specifically for apprenticeships.”

In March 2020, WakeWorks was officially established. The multifaceted program includes time in the classroom, 2000 hours per year of on-the-job learning and a progressive wage scale. In order to grow the program, Wojcik networked with leaders from a wide variety of industries. Now, the quickly growing program includes training for careers ranging from carpentry to paramedics to automotive collision repair.

Regardless of industry, the apprenticeship process is clearly laid out.

“From the beginning, the apprentice knows when they start, their starting wage is going to be X. They will get increases as they complete schooling successfully and achieve proficiency in a competency checklist, which is the on-the-job learning. They get a report card from school, and a competency checklist from workplace training,” said John Wojcik, senior director of WakeWorks Apprenticeship Training and Workforce Continuing Education. “Once they complete their apprenticeship, they become a U.S. Department of Labor journey worker and receive a certificate that’s portable. Depending on their program, they may also get certificates or a degree.”

Typically when the students participate in WakeWorks, they’ll be a pre-apprentice first, taking introductory classes that allow them to advance towards an apprenticeship. Then Wake Tech invites participating business partners in for hiring events in the fall and spring, where students are able to get on-the-job training.

The college provides support for students during their apprenticeships.

“We have career coaches that work specifically with our WakeWorks apprenticeship students to help them through whatever life is throwing at them. We have a wonderful grant from Credit Suisse that allows for barrier removals, so when students have one-off types of problems, we're able to use that fund to help them get over the hurdle,” said Wojcik. “What we're trying to do is enable these students to continue to come to class and to report to work so that no matter what life throws at them, they’re able to finish the program and get that journey worker card.”

Thanks to funding, the school can also provide books, uniforms and starter tool kits for students.

“We have studied what the gaps have been for people to not get involved in the program or are not staying engaged in the program. We are trying to remove as many hurdles as possible,” said Wojcik. “Even having a career coach that can speak with student apprentices on a regular basis, making sure they’re going to class and passing their grades. It's one big package that I call a wraparound.”

As of October, WakeWorks also has a youth apprenticeship coordinator who primarily works with Wake County Public Schools. As part of this role, the coordinator works with counselors in the high schools to make them aware of the program another option after graduation.

The program leadership is also working with different community partners — including churches and women’s organizations — to better understand how to reach the youth and underserved populations.

“We want to see our program reflect the demographics of Wake County. This program has changed people's lives, and you can talk to apprentices about how much this program has taken them from a bad place to exactly where they want to be,” said Wojcik. “A lot of times it comes at the right time in their life. It all depends on the situation and the individual, but we're trying to make as many career pathways as we can.”