Goldsboro, N.C. — Wayne Community College (WCC) hosted a ceremony this week to honor graduates of Apprenticeship Wayne, a program that blends academic education with hands-on, on-the-job training. The event marked a milestone for 18 individuals who completed apprenticeship programs in a variety of occupations, representing six employer partners.
Graduates received special recognition during the event, including graduation cords and journeyman certificates from ApprenticeshipNC and the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as stoles from Apprenticeship Wayne.
This year’s apprentices completed training in fields such as maintenance, nursing, medical laboratory technology, and education. Participating employers included Flowers Foods, Prolec-GE Waukesha, Smithfield Foods, Wayne County Government, UNC Health Wayne, and Wayne County Public Schools.
WCC President Dr. Patty Pfeiffer praised the graduates for their perseverance and commitment. “Your journey has required determination, resilience, and a strong commitment to learning and growth,” she said. “This ceremony is not the end; it is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your lives.”
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of a trailblazing achievement in the state’s education system. Wayne County Public Schools, the first school district in North Carolina to offer an educator registered apprenticeship, celebrated its first K–12 teacher apprentice graduate through the program.
Charles Brogden, human resources business partner at Flowers Foods and a WCC Board of Trustees member, emphasized the value of employer-supported learning. “It’s important that we invest in our employees and they invest back in us,” he said. “I’m very proud of our employees that have been a part of this apprenticeship program and the ones to come.”
Instructor Paul Casey, who taught the program’s maintenance technician apprentices, encouraged graduates to keep growing in their careers. “Continue being a leader. Continue inspiring other people, as well as yourself, to advance,” he said.
Graduate Alex Aycock spoke about the impact the program had on his professional journey. “We have been able to learn lifelong skills that we will use for the rest of our careers and apply them to real-world problems at work,” he said.
Apprenticeship Wayne Director Dr. Kristie Sauls concluded the ceremony by encouraging graduates to share their stories and inspire others. “Encourage someone, because you may be what it takes for someone else to say, ‘I can take that step,’” she said.
Apprentices and Their Occupations by City:
- Dudley: Brandon Roa, Prolec-GE Waukesha Maintenance Technician
- Fayetteville: Richard Brown and Cesar Diaz, Smithfield Foods Maintenance Technicians
- Goldsboro: Ashlyn Disney, UNC Health Wayne Medical Laboratory Technician; Angela Lamb, Wayne County Public Schools K–12 Teacher
- Jamesville: Corwyn Smith, Smithfield Foods Maintenance Technician
- Lumberton: Sean Johnson, Smithfield Foods Maintenance Technician
- Mount Olive: Jesmin Ramos, UNC Health Wayne Registered Nurse
- Pikeville: Alex Aycock, Wayne County Government Maintenance Technician; Amanda Edens and Isaias Urbina, UNC Health Wayne Registered Nurses
- Princeton: Spencer Harrell, UNC Health Wayne Medical Laboratory Technician
- Red Springs: Luis Recendes Gonzalez, Smithfield Foods Maintenance Technician
- Saint Pauls: Jose Sosa, Smithfield Foods Maintenance Technician
- Seven Springs: Tammy Price, UNC Health Wayne Registered Nurse
- Smithfield: Iris Canas, UNC Health Wayne Registered Nurse
- Snow Hill: Waylon Martinez, Flowers Foods Maintenance Technician
- Suffolk, VA: Bryce Englen, Smithfield Foods Maintenance Technician
For more information about Apprenticeship Wayne, visit:
