PACE Apprenticeship Program - Western Piedmont Community College

A woman works at an unidentified machine in a factory

PARTNERSHIPS
PROVIDING
APPRENTICESHIP
OPPORTUNITIES

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers develop and prepare their workforce and individuals get paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a journey worker certificate. The PACE Program unites area industry with WPCC to offer training and career opportunities for workers.

Modern Skills for
Modern Jobs

A female worker adjusts the controls on a machine in a factory

Two workers walk on the factory floor, wearing hardhats

PACE Signing Ceremony

Burke County industries Airlite Nonwovens, Leviton, and Meridian Specialty Yarn have joined WPCC in partnership through the PACE Program. The partners are working together to provide workers with apprenticeship opportunities, leading to career advancement.

Valdese Weavers is the newest PACE Partner, joining the program Summer 2022.

Industrial Maintenance &
Electronic Industrial Controls

6,000 hours of on-the-job training using a competency checklist.
13 relevant courses provided by WPCC.

Both programs will result in a journey worker certificate from the State of NC and the Federal Department of Labor.

Registered
Apprenticeship
Tracks

There are 5 components of a
Registered Apprenticeship

Business Involvement

Employers are the foundation of every Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Structured On-The-Job Training

Apprentices receive on-the-job training from an experienced mentor for typically not less than one year.

Related Instruction

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job learning with technical education at community colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship training schools, provided online or at the job site.

Rewards for Skill Gains

Apprentices receive increases in wages as they gain higher level skills.

National Occupational Credential

Registered Apprenticeship programs result in a nationally-recognized credential – a 100% guarantee to employers that apprentices are fully qualified for the job.

The
WPCC/Industry
Partnership

WPCC Will

Complete all registration & paperwork
Assist with screening of apprentice applicants
Provide instruction in each of the two apprenticeship tracks
Actively search for scholarship money to assist apprentices with expenses
Provide a software solution to assist companies in managing their apprentices.

Industries Will

Provide on-the-job instruction to each apprentice through an assigned mentor
Insure that apprentices are learning according to the program competency checklist
Pay apprentices while they are in class
Monitor apprentice progress and move them up on the wage scale as they gain skills.