New Summer Program Sparks Interest in Electrical Careers at Forsyth Tech
Forsyth Technical Community College is electrifying the educational landscape with a fresh initiative designed to funnel students into electrical careers. This move is part of a broader statewide strategy aimed at bolstering the workforce.
Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Stein and the Siemens Foundation unveiled the “Careers Electric” initiative, a program that aspires to prepare 25,000 residents of North Carolina for careers in the electrical industry over the next ten years. As a result, 12 community colleges across the state are now offering summer electrical academies specifically for high school students.
Jennifer Brown, who serves as the vice president of Forsyth Tech’s Future Ready Workforce Strategy, highlighted the mutual benefits of the program. “It’s a win-win really on both ends. It allows for employers to develop a more robust talent pipeline early on,” she stated. “And of course, it allows our students, and even career-changers later in life, to take advantage of resources that are available here.”
The summer academy at Forsyth Tech spans seven weeks and provides high school students with a paid opportunity that equates to one year of a typical four-year electrical apprenticeship. Participants also receive a $2,000 stipend upon completion and have the chance to be paired with employers for continued training. In addition, those who choose to continue their apprenticeship will qualify for a tuition waiver.
Similar electrical academies have been initiated by Rockingham and Surry Community Colleges, further expanding the reach of this workforce development effort.
