GAP welcomes largest class of apprentices

GUILFORD COUNTY — Guilford Apprenticeship Partners will sign on a record 78 apprentices at its fourth annual signing ceremony.
 
The signing ceremony is Thursday, Aug. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at Koury Convention Center, 3121 W. Gate City Blvd. 
 
This year’s class is almost double the size of the 2018 group, which had 40 members.
 
“GAP is soaring!,” said Tammy Simmons of Machine Specialities. “Our signing ceremony is proof that businesses can truly develop their talent and skilled worker pipeline. This special event is a launchpad for bright futures.”
 
The students come from 19 high schools in Greensboro, High Point and the surrounding areas.
 
GAP President Todd Poteat, vice president of manufacturing for Bright Plastics, said the group is composed of talented and motivated students.
 
“The quality of the young adults this program discovers restores your faith in the next generation,” he said.
 
Over the next four years, the newly signed apprentices will earn both an associate degree and hundreds of hours of on-the-job experience in skilled trades.
 
They’ll graduate from Guilford Technical Community College debt-free and have a guaranteed full-time job at their partner company.
Brent Christensen, president and CEO of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, said the GAP program is a win-win for industry partners and students alike.
 
“As we’ve said many times, the communities who focus on creating a world-class workforce are the communities that will win big projects in the next decade,” Christensen said. “The GAP program makes it possible for our students to get the training they need for these lucrative jobs of the future while also earning a college degree.”
 
This year’s students have secured apprenticeships in a variety of fields: 35 in advanced manufacturing, 15 in information technology and cybersecurity, 10 in the automotive industry, 10 in aviation and eight in field service.
 
Patrick Chapin, president and CEO of Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce, said today’s apprentices will become tomorrow’s business leaders and innovators.
 
“Guilford Apprenticeship Partners provides a significant boost for our county, as well as  an opportunity for businesses and students alike to define their future,” he said. “We will look back in years to come and identify GAP as a legacy program.”
 
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About Guilford Apprenticeship Partners Guilford Apprenticeship Partners, also known as GAP, uses a proven model to help businesses build their own reliable talent pipeline. Forward-thinking companies are looking for the next generation of leaders to step into key roles and joining GAP to advance their efforts. GAP is the fastest growing youth apprenticeship program in North Carolina with currently five industry sectors: automotive, aviation, advanced manufacturing, IT/cybersecurity and HVAC. GAP is a business-led partnership in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce, Guilford County Schools and Guilford Technical Community College.