BRCC honors automotive, business/banking apprenticeship graduates

Staff Reports
·2 min read
Blue Ridge Community College graduates of the Business and Banking Apprenticeship program were celebrated on Wednesday, July 27, in the college’s Thomas Auditorium. From eft to right: Maria Miranda Salgado, Ximena Maldonado-Gomez, Jonah Mendoza, Dilan Montes, Braydon Harris, Ethan Blankenship, Wyatt Goodman and Apprenticeship Coordinator Kelli Stewart.

Blue Ridge Community College recently celebrated graduates of the award-winning Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program with two public ceremonies. Nine Automotive Apprenticeship graduates were celebrated on Monday, July 25, while seven graduates of the Business and Banking Apprenticeship track were honored on Wednesday, July 27, according to a news release from BRCC. The ceremonies were held in Blue Ridge’s Thomas Auditorium.

At each ceremony, Blue Ridge’s Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development Dr. Scott Queen reminded graduates of the critical community needs they were equipped to meet.

“I would like to emphasize the importance of what you have achieved personally and for our community,” he said. “America continues to address an enormous skills gap in our workforce. This is where you come in.”

The unique Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program allows adult learners and high school graduates to earn an income while gaining on-the-job experience and college credit – all without incurring debt, according to BRCC. It is part of Blue Ridge Community College’s ongoing commitment to workforce training in Western North Carolina.

Apprenticeship Blue Ridge currently offers advanced manufacturing, automotive, electrical, plumbing and business/banking apprenticeship tracks. Following an apprenticeship, students have the foundational knowledge, competency and skill set to grow in their chosen fields while enjoying financial independence upon graduation. For employers, the transformational power of apprenticeship builds a strategic workforce pipeline that promotes employee retention and productivity, says BRCC.

The July 25 ceremony included a welcome by Queen, followed by short speeches from Dean of Advanced Technologies Joe Shook and Automotive Instructor Christopher Peavy. The July 27 ceremony included speeches by Dean for Business and Career Services Brenda Blackburn and Business Administration Instructor Ben Kish. The certificates were presented to graduates by Apprenticeship Coordinator Kelli Stewart.

Blue Ridge Community College graduates of the Automotive Apprenticeship program were celebrated on Monday, July 25, in the college’s Thomas Auditorium. (Left to right, front row: Augustina Mendez-Agustin, Joshua George, Carter Hamrick, Elidel Ramos, and Omar Perez-Ortega. Left to right, rear row: Garrett Schofield, Adrian Hernandez, Luis Garcia, Caleb Walker and Automotive Instructor Christoper Peavy.)

The Automotive Apprenticeship graduates included, Augustina Mendez-Agustin, Joshua George, Carter Hamrick, Elidel Ramos, Omar Perez-Ortega, Garrett Schofield, Adrian Hernandez, Luis Garcia and Caleb Walker. The Business and Banking Apprenticeship graduates included Maria Miranda Salgado, Ximena Maldonado-Gomez, Jonah Mendoza, Dilan Montes, Braydon Harris, Ethan Blankenship and Wyatt Goodman.

“Know that we are very proud of you,” Queen said to the graduates. “You made it.”

Learn more about applying for the Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program at blueridge.edu/apprentice.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: BRCC honors automotive, business/banking apprenticeship graduates