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Two apprenticeship cohorts recently completed the Working Smart program at Blue Ridge Community College.
Every apprentice goes through the 32-hour Working Smart program to learn essential soft skills for the workplace, including ethics, teamwork, conflict resolution, interviewing and more.
Kelli Stewart, Blue Ridge’s Apprenticeship Coordinator, said the professional development class is essential for all workers.
“This program not only helps recent high school graduates prepare for the workforce but also refreshes adult learners on the essential soft skills needed in the workplace,” said Stewart. “Employers have reported the number one thing lacking in the workplace is soft skills, so that is where we come in to assist the apprentices and the employers.”
Left to right: Instructor Stacy Hill, Audge Davis, Omar Recendiz, Kenneth Thornton, Devin Teofilak, Jacob Summey, Andy Stokes, Apprenticeship Coordinator Kelli Stewart
Working Smart has been a part of Blue Ridge’s Apprenticeship program since its inception five years ago. In 2022, Blue Ridge was given the Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program award for efforts to thoroughly prepare students for a successful on-the-job training experience.
The following apprenticeships are open for application until the respective dates:
Automotive, Business & Banking, Early Childhood Education, and Made in Henderson County (Manufacturing) – deadline April 21
Construction – deadline May 31
HVAC and Central Sterile Processing – deadline June 30
Learn more at blueridge.edu/apprentice.