In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, Southeastern Community College welcomed more than 230 high school juniors and seniors to campus for the first ever ACCESS Open House event on Nov. 20. Industry partners engaged with students eager to learn about career options through apprenticeship in Columbus County, and students performed hands-on skills to showcase their talents to potential employers. Three students signed apprenticeship agreements in healthcare, while CCS and WCS signed apprenticeship agreements in teacher prep.  

“Today will go down in history for the college as a change agent,” said Dr. Chris English, SCC President. “It’s a day that showed powerful partnerships with Whiteville City Schools, Columbus County Schools and the county commissioners to build a workforce pipeline. This will be a day to remember for years to come.” 

English said that “growing our own” was in full effect during the open house event as he witnessed students learn about their future careers. He explained that industry partners were pleased with the level of participation and enthusiasm from the students. English said he was impressed with the level of engagement as he watched students learn CPR in the nursing simulation lab and how to use a torque wrench in the automotive flex lab. 

When students arrived on campus, they checked in and received a badge that indicated which field of study they were interested in. Students broke into groups for the following areas: advanced manufacturing, agribusiness technology, automotive systems technology, building construction technology, emergency medical services, healthcare, information technology, law enforcement, nursing, teacher prep and welding. 

The day kicked off in Cartrette building with a welcome from Dr. English and apprenticeship overview from Antwan Pippen, apprenticeship consultant for the Sandhills region. Local business owners and students engaged in a “speed networking” activity, where students moved from table to table and met with industry partners, asked questions, and learned about each business.  

Everyone transitioned to the auditorium for the apprenticeship signing ceremony to celebrate Kalyn Stover signing as an MLT apprentice and Briana Hayes and Kelly McPherson signing as the first ever nursing apprentices. CCS Superintendent Eddie Beck and WCS Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Williams signed teacher prep apprenticeship agreements for their school systems.  

“Most of the complicated things we learn – we need to learn, in most part, by doing it, right?” asked Dr. Chris Harrington, ApprenticeshipNC director. “Apprenticeship is the gold standard in work-based learning.” 

While closing out the apprenticeship signing ceremony, Harrington explained that apprentices make a lifetime average of $300,000 more than someone doing the same job without an apprenticeship. He said that apprenticeship is a strategic investment for students and business owners because of the “earn while you learn” model. Business owners are selective of their apprentices and can instill their values and business practices in that student for long-term employment possibilities. 

Students put their knowledge and skills to the test during the showcase portion of the day with local industry partners judging how well a student performed a task in his or her field of study. SCC Apprenticeship Director Denise Young said this is where students gained the value of work-based learning while under the watch of a potential employer.  

“Today was a very successful day, and everything went as planned,” Young said. “We did not let the rain stop us, and I think students really enjoyed meeting with people who could be their boss someday. With many weeks of meetings and planning for this day, I couldn’t have asked for a better turnout.” 

The ACCESS Open House concluded in the auditorium with an awards and recognition ceremony for the students. Students earned extra prizes for winning the competition in their showcase event. Students from Whiteville High School, West, East and South Columbus High schools, Columbus Career and College Academy, Thomas Academy and Columbus Christian Academy participated. Plans are in the works for next year’s ACCESS Open House during National Apprenticeship Week. 

The gold level sponsors for the open house event were Columbus Regional Healthcare System, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, Council Tool Company, SCC Foundation, Honeycutt Produce and Surf Doc. Silver level sponsors were Region 4 CCR&R and the Small Business Center Network. The bronze level sponsor was Columbus County NCWorks Career Center. 

Industry partners involved in the open house event were American Concrete and Demolition, BakeLite Synthetics, Bill Worley & Sons, Inc., Black’s Tire & Auto Service, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation, BVG BioEnergy, Cape Fear WDB, Chadbourn EMS, Chadbourn Police Department, Columbus Christian Academy, Columbus County Schools, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Council Tool Company, County of Columbus, Crossroads Automotive Group, Duke Energy, Fair Bluff Police Department, Filtec Precise, Golden LEAF Foundation, Honeycutt Produce, Lake Waccamaw Police Department, Liberty Hospice, Montieth Construction, N.C. Community College System Office, Payne Family Farm, LLC, ProValus, RTI International, Tabor City Police Department, Thomas Academy, Town And Country Chevrolet GMC, Town of Chadbourn, Urbal Kemalogy, Whiteville City Schools and Whiteville Police Department. 

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