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.
Just some of the apprenticeship opportunities offered by employers in North Carolina include those listed below, though there are many others:
- Healthcare (surgical technician, LPN, pharmacy tech, etc.)
- IT & cybersecurity
- Public safety (police, fire, EMS)
- Logistics & transportation
- Energy (line workers, etc.)
- Building trades (welder, electrician, plumbing, construction)
- Advanced manufacturing
- Finance & insurance
- Hospitality
Isothermal Community College currently has partnerships with employers for apprenticeship occupations that include:
- BLET
- Public Works
- Maintenance Technician
- Electrician
- AutoCAD
- Welding
Types of apprenticeship
There are two 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.
- Registered 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.
The word internship is often mistakenly used in place of apprenticeship. They are not the same. Internships are typically short-term offerings that allow students to explore occupations. Employers offering internships often do not have structured training in place or positions to offer interns upon completion of their internship. Interns also do not receive nationally recognized credentials upon completing the internship.
Our role at Isothermal Community College
ICC works with local employers to customize classroom training to meet employer needs and supplement work-based learning. This collaborative effort enables employers to train employees to fill specific roles. Isothermal may:
- Provide crucial support, such as curriculum development, and deliver related instruction to apprentices
- Help develop curricula that allow apprentices to earn diplomas and certifications upon completion
- Offer grant funding available to pay for education assistance for specific industries
- Act as a resource partner for employers in providing the education for apprenticeship
- Become a resource for potential financial aid for apprentices
- Sponsor a registered apprenticeship
