Local Students Thrive: 168 Pre-Apprenticeships Secured in Surry-Yadkin for Spring 2024

Surry-Yadkin Works has expanded its pre-apprenticeship program for the Spring 2024 semester, placing 168 students in various industries and roles. This number is nearly double that of the previous semester, showing increased interest and growth in the program. The program is a joint effort between four public school systems in Surry and Yadkin counties—Elkin City Schools, Mount Airy City Schools, Surry County Schools, and Yadkin County Schools—and Surry Community College. The partnership seeks to develop a strong regional pre-apprenticeship framework that benefits students and the local economy.

The program enables students from different high schools to participate in pre-apprenticeships at 71 businesses and organizations across Surry and Yadkin counties. These opportunities cater to the students' varied interests and career goals. For example, Elkin High School students have taken roles in healthcare, IT, environmental health, and physical therapy. Specific examples include Ellie Berryman working at Chatham Nursing & Rehab and Aaron Caudle at B&G Foods, providing them with practical experience in their chosen fields.

Students from Mount Airy High School have secured many placements, especially in healthcare roles at Northern Regional Hospital. Isabella Allen and Summer Allred, for instance, are gaining experience as CNA Pre-Apprentices, which supports their nursing career goals. Other students are exploring careers in engineering, manufacturing, and electrical work, showing the program's range in addressing various career interests.

Participants from North Surry High School are involved in a variety of industries. Bianca Betancourt and her peers are developing their skills at Northern Regional Hospital, while others like Jackson Graves and Edward Radford are gaining hands-on experience in technical trades such as assembly and welding at Altec. This diversity ensures that apprenticeships align with students' career interests, which is crucial for their professional development.

This article has been enhanced with AI assistance. Agree to access AI-generated content by clicking here, or opt for content with less AI influence here.