GOLDSBORO, N.C. – Wayne Community College’s Apprenticeship Wayne program celebrated a major milestone this fall, officially welcoming 94 new students into its comprehensive apprenticeship program. The college hosted a signing ceremony to commemorate the beginning of these students’ professional journeys alongside their employer partners.
Program Growth Reflects Strong Industry Demand
Since its establishment in 2019, Apprenticeship Wayne has demonstrated remarkable growth and success. The program, which is registered with both ApprenticeshipNC and the U.S. Department of Labor, has now supported more than 100 apprentices across diverse sectors including automotive, advanced manufacturing, HVAC, machining, education, and healthcare.
The apprenticeship model combines classroom instruction with hands-on, paid work experience, allowing students to earn specialized credentials while gaining practical skills in their chosen fields.
10 Employer Partners Support This Year’s Cohort
This fall’s apprentice class will work across four different occupations, supported by 10 employer partners:
Electrical Sector (80 apprentices):
- Allegiance Industries: 8 electricians
- Eastern Electrical Corporation: 11 electricians
- Electrical Technologies, Inc.: 3 electricians
- Lewis Electric of Oxford, Inc.: 3 electricians
- Pitt Electric: 21 electricians
- Triple-R Electric: 29 electricians
- Via Electric: 5 electricians
Other Industries (14 apprentices):
- Flowers Foods: 2 industrial maintenance technicians
- UNC Health Wayne: 5 medical lab technicians
- Wayne County Public Schools: 7 K–12 teachers
Leaders Emphasize Economic and Community Impact
At the signing ceremony, WCC President Patty Pfeiffer highlighted the transformative nature of the program. “Apprenticeships are not just training; they are a launching pad into your future,” she told the gathered students.
Dr. Marc Whichard, superintendent of Wayne County Public Schools, emphasized the broader economic benefits of the apprenticeship model. “Here in Wayne County, the apprenticeship program is not only alive and well; it is thriving,” he said, noting that apprenticeships drive economic development by enabling individuals to remain in their local communities while becoming productive workforce members.
Historic Achievement in Education Sector
The program gained national attention in May 2025 when WCC and Wayne County Public Schools made history by graduating North Carolina’s first K–12 teacher apprentice, demonstrating the versatility and innovation of the apprenticeship model.
Investment in Community Future
President Pfeiffer praised the employer partners for their commitment to workforce development, telling them they are “making a powerful statement by investing in students’ lives.”
“You are not just offering jobs,” she emphasized. “You are shaping futures, strengthening our workforce, and making a real impact in the lives of these young professionals and in our community as a whole.”
The continued success and recognition of Apprenticeship Wayne at both state and national levels reflects the growing importance of apprenticeship programs in addressing skilled workforce needs while providing accessible pathways to career advancement.
