Apprenticeship Partnerships Thrive Despite Pandemic
Julie Golden, Alana Phifer, Donna Brin, and Travis King of Apprenticeship Carolina at the “signing day” bFIVE40 held where Alana signed her acceptance into the graphic design apprenticeship.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is a proud partner of Apprenticeship Carolina, a division of the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) that works with employers in the state to have access to the information, support, and technical assistance needed to create demand-driven registered apprenticeship programs in the following high growth industries: advanced manufacturing and technologies, construction technologies, energy, healthcare, information technology, tourism and service industries, and transportation, distribution, and logistics.
Apprenticeship Carolina has been awarded over $11 million in grant funding, of which, HGTC has secured over $700,000 to assist youth (16-24) and adult (18+) apprentices with the cost of job-related education, tools, supplies, and supportive services.
To date, HGTC’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education (WDCE) division has worked with Apprenticeship Carolina staff to register apprenticeship programs with the following Horry and Georgetown County businesses: bFIVE40, Inc., Dependable Service Plumbing, Carolina Cool, Creative Beginnings, Values Systems POS, EnviroSep, Brightwater Living, Top Flight Paintless Dent Repair, McLeod Health, and several others in development.
Julie Golden, HGTC Training & Development Director, Assistant Provost of the Georgetown Campus Workforce Development and Continuing Education, who manages the partnership with Apprenticeship Carolina is passionate about the connections being made in the business community.
“As educators, we can introduce HGTC curriculum and continuing education students to the proven benefits of apprenticeships which include, but are not limited to, access to grant funding, stable employment, higher wages, increased potential for personal and professional growth, and valuable skills credentials including a Department of Labor credential. Businesses sponsoring a registered apprenticeship program can reap the benefits of having highly skilled employees, decreased turnover, customized consistent training, a reliable and sustainable plan, and a possible state tax credit.”
Alana Phifer, an HGTC Digital Arts student, is now employed as an apprentice at bFIVE40 in Little River, specializing in digital printing and full serve fabricating. She is thrilled about her apprenticeship experience.
“It has been so much fun! I’ve learned so many things, such as working with different machines I have not worked with previously before bFIVE40, like the embroidery machine. I am supposed to start learning how to transfer artwork so I can digitize and embroider. It is a great place to work, and everyone is very helpful and accepting.”
Donna Brinn, owner and CEO at bFIVE40, also values the apprenticeship program.
“Apprenticeship is all about learning a new lifeskill and building your employees
and your community. Having the support and funding has made it possible for our business.”
For more information on how to involve your students with an apprenticeship, please
contact Julie Golden at 843-520-1476 or julie.golden@hgtc.edu.