— Information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College celebrated new apprentices and the employers supporting their career journeys during its Apprenticeship Signing Ceremony held earlier this month at the VGCC Civic Center in Henderson.
The first event of its kind in VGCC history, the Oct. 12 ceremony recognized 22 apprentices’ commitment to advancing their education and developing skills in their chosen professions, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel. It also highlighted the role of employer partners in providing hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunities that connect classroom learning with workplace experience.
Dr. Kim Sepich, Vice President of Instruction & Student Services, and Dr. Krystal Foxx, Director of Career Services & Experiential Learning, opened the program. VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Reginald Baker of ApprenticeshipNC also delivered remarks, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among education, industry, and workforce partners in building meaningful career pathways and strengthening the region’s workforce.
The signing honored both the apprentices working toward their professional goals and the employers investing in their growth. Participating employer partners include Ardagh Group of Henderson, Dill Air Control Products of Oxford, Eaton Corporation of Youngsville, Mandolin HVAC & Plumbing of Raleigh, Ontic of Creedmoor, and Sunrock of Butner.
Apprenticeships combine structured workplace training with related instruction, allowing participants to earn while they learn and apply new knowledge in real work settings. For employers, these partnerships support the development of skilled employees while creating opportunities to prepare talent for their organizations’ workforce needs. For the apprentices, such opportunities offer not only the chance to perfect the skills they learned in a classroom, but they also provide industry connections not usually available for entry-level positions—potentially changing the trajectory of their careers for years to come.
VGCC Mechatronic Engineering Technology graduates and Ontic apprentices Omar Ramos-Espinoza and Joseph Richmond shared personal testimonials about their apprenticeship experiences. Their reflections offered guests a firsthand perspective on learning while working and illustrated how employer-supported training can contribute to professional growth. Their participation also brought a personal connection to the ceremony, highlighting the individuals at the heart of these partnerships.
Vance-Granville Community College’s Career Services office empowers and equips job seekers with the tools, resources, and support to succeed. Its mission is to build a culture of success through career exploration, career readiness and development, and connections with employers and community partners. Employers interested in exploring apprenticeships or other work-based learning opportunities are encouraged to contact LaShawn Hawley, VGCC Experiential Learning Coordinator, at hawleyl@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3336 to discuss workforce needs and potential next steps.
