State Funding Approved to Expand Registered Apprenticeships
The N.C. State Board of Community Colleges (NCSBCC) in its meeting on May 20 approved an allocation of up to $11.6 million from the State Fiscal Recovery Funds to establish a temporary program to expand apprenticeship opportunities for high school and non-high school apprentices. The program will serve students ages 16 to 25. Funding goals are to increase the percentage of North Carolinians, particularly within underserved populations, who are pursuing and easily accessing education or training through North Carolina’s community colleges and to ensure the educational pipeline prepares a workforce that possesses the interest, knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet the needs of employers, now and into the future. Following North Carolina’s 2020 Development Tier Designation, 50 of the 58 colleges, serving Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, are eligible. Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort) is part of this program, and employers in Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties qualify.
The funding will provide opportunities for small businesses located in Tier 1 and 2 counties to build talent pipelines by bringing on new apprentices between the ages of 16 and 25 in high demand trades or careers while working with Beaufort and 49 other community colleges to provide related classroom instruction. Employers with qualifying apprentices will receive up to $2,000 per apprentice for onboarding and training, plus a 50% salary reimbursement on wages up to $15 per hour for non-high school students and $14 per hour for high school students. In addition, colleges will receive up to $2,500 per apprentice for tuition, books, fees, and supplies. The target date on the release of funds is July 1, 2022. Funds are available through Dec. 31, 2024, until expended. Registered Apprenticeships have expanded statewide since joining the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) in 2017.
Employers interested in starting an apprenticeship or residents interested in becoming an apprentice can contact Sara Watson, Beaufort’s Director of Customized Training and Apprenticeships at 252-940-6311.
