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Featured photo: Bryan Castillo-Pina, an electrical apprentice with A-American, practices installation techniques in the Spearman Building of Blue Ridge Community College. (Photo by: Rich Keen.)
By: Benjamin Rickert, Marketing & Communications Dept.
Blue Ridge Community College is proud to announce that its Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program has been selected as a Top 10 finalist for the prestigious Bellwether Award in the Instructional Programs and Services category. This national recognition highlights innovative community college programs that deliver exceptional outcomes and have the potential for replication across the country.
The Bellwether Awards, compared to football’s Heisman Awards, have recognized excellence in community college innovation since 1995. This year marks the 31st annual competition, which will culminate in February 2025 at the Community College Futures Assembly in San Antonio, Texas. As a finalist, Blue Ridge Community College will present Apprenticeship Blue Ridge to a panel of respected peers and industry leaders, competing for the top honor in its category.
Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, president of Blue Ridge Community College, expressed her enthusiasm for the recognition.
“Being selected as a Bellwether Award finalist highlights the incredible dedication of our students, faculty, staff and community partners,” she said. “Apprenticeship Blue Ridge showcases our commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers while driving economic growth in our region. I am immensely proud of our apprenticeship team and students for their outstanding achievements, and I look forward to cheering them on this February in San Antonio.”
About Apprenticeship Blue Ridge
Apprenticeship Blue Ridge is a collaborative workforce development program aimed at addressing the skills gap by providing apprentices with paid, on-the-job training and classroom instruction in partnership with local employers. The initiative offers hands-on experience in growing industries, providing participants with practical skills, industry-recognized certifications and competitive wages.
Launched in 2019 with the “Made in Henderson County” mechatronics engineering pathway, Apprenticeship Blue Ridge has since expanded to include 12 additional student pathways. These include Automotive, Business and Banking, Construction, Early Childhood Education, Electrical, Healthcare, Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Industrial Systems, Machining Tool & Die, Plumbing, and Work Local Transylvania – an advanced manufacturing and mechatronics program in partnership with employers in Transylvania County. The program includes apprentices chosen through a draft process, as well as high-potential incumbent employees selected by their respective employers.
In 2022, Apprenticeship Blue Ridge was presented with the ApprenticeshipNC Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program award.
“Apprenticeship Blue Ridge exemplifies how education and industry partnerships can drive economic and personal growth by addressing the specific workforce needs of our community by offering industry-relevant training,” said Cassandra Townsend, Blue Ridge’s apprenticeship coordinator. “A key to our success is the strong collaboration within various college departments to support our apprentices. Being named a finalist for the Bellwether Award is an exciting recognition of these efforts, and we’re proud to represent our community on this national stage.”
By partnering closely with local businesses, Apprenticeship Blue Ridge ensures its curriculum aligns with industry needs, helping participants gain the most current knowledge and skills. More information about Apprenticeship Blue Ridge is available at www.blueridge.edu/apprentice.
About the Bellwether Award
Established by the Alamo Colleges District, the Bellwether Award recognizes cutting-edge, evidence-based community college programs that address critical issues. Finalists are chosen through a rigorous selection process, culminating in a day-long competition where the top 10 finalists in three categories – Instructional Programs and Services, Planning, Governance and Finance, and Workforce Development – present their programs to a panel of judges. The Bellwether Award is a defining achievement for community colleges.
According to the Alamo Colleges District website, “the competition and selection bring a level of excellence that demonstrates the innovative spirit and results-driven mindset that exists among our finest community colleges.”