Jan. 2. Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas have given Rowan-Cabarrus Community College $200,000 for hands-on training and career development opportunities in the new Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Kannapolis.

The grant, which funds tuition, book and material costs for each apprentice over the next four years, helps students master required job duties in an apprentice setting, despite the fact that most of our local companies do not have the critical mass to run an apprenticeship program.

“By the college taking on the administrative functions, this allows companies to join a collective of manufacturing companies to ensure that their apprentices get the training they need when they need it,” said Kerry Motley, RCCC apprenticeship director and account manager in business services.

This partnership will help meet the demand for skilled workers. Rowan-Cabarrus hosts and registers the apprenticeship program, as well as provides all related classroom instruction and oversees the on-the-job-training for enrolled apprentices.

Theoretical instruction is provided by RCCC on top of 2,000 hours of on the job training each year for four years.

“Having a qualified, trained maintenance technician saves companies both time and money because they will no longer need to outsource various maintenance needs for random issues, but instead can rely on a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ certified journeyman to handle any circumstance that may arise,” said David King, lead account manager in business services at RCCC.

This new program essentially allows companies and organizations to invest in employee developmental skills and training at a discounted rate. The program will offer apprenticeship instructions on electrical, mechanics, machining, programmable logic controls (PLC’s), welding, fabrication and HVAC. Apprentices who complete this program will be multi-craft certified and equipped to handle a variety of maintenance issues.

“We are proud to partner with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to connect students with apprenticeship and workforce training opportunities,” said Randy Welch, Duke Energy district manager. “These students will help meet the growing and evolving needs of the region’s manufacturing industry.”

More info: Kerry Motley at [email protected] or 704-216-7210.