North Carolina Recognizes Manufacturing Apprenticeship Programs

North Carolina’s Governor Pat McCrory and the North Carolina Department of Commerce recognized the best apprenticeship programs in North Carolina for their leadership in a ceremony. On November 5, 2015, the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP)—of which Schunk is a partner—Apprenticeship 2000, Apprenticeship Catawba and Siemens Charlotte were all recognized for their leadership and mentoring of two new groups in Guilford and Alamance counties.

Schunk President Milton Guerry says, “We are extremely proud of our apprentices and their tenacious drive to learn. They add tremendous value to Schunk and we enjoy watching them grow within our company.”

Jack Rensel, a second-year Schunk apprentice, spoke about his life before NCTAP, how he found out about the program and how much he has learned in the program in the past year. He said that the program has allowed him “to really understand the manufacturing environment and how everybody in the process comes together for a big picture.”

Governor McCrory spoke during the ceremony regarding the importance of apprenticeship programs in the United States as well as the impact of the right education for young adults.

The NCTAP four-year program focuses on integrated basic training in technical, methodological and social skills. The core training program is designed to offer apprentices an opportunity to develop a wide range of skills with a hands-on approach.