Apprentice Omar Recendiz works for Buchanan Construction through the Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program. (Photo by: Rich Keen.

Apprenticeship Blue Ridge Builds Skills and Knowledge for Career Success

Featured photo: Apprentice Omar Recendiz works for Buchanan Construction through the Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program. (Photo by: Rich Keen, Marketing & Communications Dept.)


Marketing & Communications Dept.

This November, Blue Ridge Community College is celebrating National Apprenticeship Month! The thriving Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program allows eligible high school graduates and adult learners to earn while they learn in the classroom and on the job. Application deadlines are available at www.blueridge.edu/apprentice, with seven programs accepting applications until Jan. 31 or April 26.

Apprentices attend class one day per week and work the balance of the week with their apprenticeship employer. As apprentices continue through the program, their wages progressively increase. Those who complete an apprenticeship earn a college credential from Blue Ridge along with the nationally recognized Journeyworker Certificate.

“It’s such a great program,” electrical apprentice Erik Alba said. “I get to work and go to school at the same time, and I get paid for going to school. I’m able to pay my bills, work and attend school one day a week.”

The Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program is currently accepting applications for the following apprenticeships:

Apply by Jan. 31, 2024

Plumbing

Electrical  

Apply by April 26, 2024

Automotive

Business & Banking

Early Childhood Education

Made in Henderson County (Manufacturing)

Work Local Transylvania (Manufacturing)

Apprenticeship Blue Ridge is made possible by area employers committed to expanding tomorrow’s workforce. All Apprenticeship Blue Ridge employers are registered with the North Carolina Department of Labor and ApprenticeshipNC.

Application information for all Apprenticeship Blue Ridge programs is available at www.blueridge.edu/apprentice.

Blue Ridge Community College would like to thank the following Apprenticeship Blue Ridge employers:

Automotive Employers

Anderson Automotive Group

Egolf Motors

Harry’s on the Hill

Fields Auto Group

Hunter Automotive Group

Paramount Kia Asheville

Parks Ford Hendersonville

Prestige Subaru

Business and Banking 

Anderson Automotive Group

Champion Credit Union

Elkamet

First Bank

First Citizens Bank

Hope Coalition

Hunter Automotive Group

Mountain Credit Union

Central Sterile Processing

Advent Health

Community Health Worker

Blue Ridge Community Health 

Construction

Benton Roofing

Buchanan Construction

Henderson County Habitat for Humanity

Henderson County

L&S Site Contractor

Living Stone Design and Build

Rice Custom Cabinetry

Saluda, North Carolina 

Early Childhood Education

WNC Source

Electrical

Jackson Electrical Contractors

Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Appalachian Comfort Systems and Controls

 Blue Ridge Heating and Air

Henderson County

Quality Air

Made in Henderson County (Manufacturing)

Cummins-Meritor

Elkamet

Jabil

Linamar Light Metals

Norafin

UPM

WestRock

Wilsonart

Plumbing

T.P. Howard’s Plumbing

Work Local Transylvania

Gaia Herbs

M-B Industries

New Excelsior

Survival Innovations