Apprenticeship Randolph: A Story of Apprenticeship Excellence
In 2016, local employers in Randolph County, North Carolina, recognized a growing problem: their workforce was declining. To address this, they united with local educational institutions to create Apprenticeship Randolph (AR), a consortium-based Registered Apprenticeship Program designed to meet the growing demand for skilled workers while offering young adults an educational path toward career success. Since its creation, the program has graduated 41 Registered Apprentices and has become nationally recognized as a model of Registered Apprenticeship excellence.
Building a Stronger Community Through Collaboration
The key to Apprenticeship Randolph’s success lies in its foundation as a consortium. AR brings together local employers, Randolph County Schools, Asheboro City Schools, the Uwharrie Charter School System, Randolph Early College High School, Randolph Community College, and more.
This consortium allows businesses—both large and small—as well as educational institutions, to work together to create a comprehensive training pathway for students and adult apprentices alike. By pooling resources and efforts, AR has created a system that caters to the varied needs of different industries while providing Registered Apprentices with the on-the-job training and supplemental education they need to kickstart their careers. In this way, they are building talent pipelines that will serve the county for years to come.
Currently, Apprenticeship Randolph has 49 active Youth Apprentices. With plans to register more apprentices through ApprenticeshipNC, the State Apprenticeship Agency housed under the North Carolina Community College System, in the coming months, Apprenticeship Randolph’s upwards trajectory is clear.
When asked why AR chose Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce development solution, the answer was simple: Registered Apprenticeship is a comprehensive training tool. Randolph County is home to over 200 manufacturers, and the Registered Apprenticeship model offers a direct bridge from education to employment. “We needed to engage students earlier and show them the rewarding careers in manufacturing,” says Terence Franklin, Chairman, Apprenticeship Randolph. Apprenticeship Randolph offers three key pathways: Industrial Systems Technology (Mechatronics), Computer Integrated Machining, and Information Technology. Each pathway provides hands-on training and debt-free education at Randolph Community College. “They go to school 100% debt-free, and once they’re Registered Apprentices, they become full employees with all the benefits of the company—PTO, health insurance, retirement. Apprenticeship is a career, not just a job,” says Franklin.
Nationally Recognized Achievements
In 2022, Apprenticeship Randolph was named an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor, further cementing its status as a model program. “It was an incredible honor to represent our program on a national stage,” says Stacey Miller, Director of Apprenticeships, Randolph Community College. “It was a chance to put our program on the map, and it shows that even small programs can make a big impact.” This recognition underscores the program’s ability to shape not only Randolph County’s workforce but also to inspire other regions to adopt similar Registered Apprenticeship models. Miller was invited back to the White House in 2024, where the U.S. Department of Labor recognized Apprenticeship Randolph as a valued Apprenticeship Ambassador for the work it has done to champion Registered Apprenticeship in the two years since receiving its original honor. Also in 2024, Randolph Community College was named the number one community college in North Carolina, according to Niche.com, and the number two ranking community college nationwide by SmartAsset.
Creating a Lasting Impact
The key takeaway from Apprenticeship Randolph’s success is the importance of long-term investments in workforce development. Registered Apprenticeship Programs do not succeed overnight; they are a commitment to the creation of skilled workers through training and education. As Miller and Franklin highlight, AR’s impact goes beyond producing workers for specific companies—it is about shaping well-rounded individuals who will lead industries and contribute to the workforce at large. “Our apprentices are the future leaders of the industry, whether they stay with their company or move on to new opportunities,” says Miller. “Ultimately, it’s about creating a stronger workforce for everyone.”
Apprenticeship Randolph isn’t just building workers—it’s creating a prosperous and sustainable future for the businesses, educational institutions, and individuals in Randolph County.
About ApprenticeshipNC: Recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, ApprenticeshipNC is the State Apprenticeship Agency authorized to register apprenticeship programs tailored to meet employers’ needs— providing structured on-the-job learning, supplemental education, and a progressive wage scale.
