On November 5th, NCTAP, Apprenticeship 2000, Apprenticeship Catawba and Siemens Charlotte were all recognized for their leadership and mentoring of two new groups in Guilford and Alamance counties.

North Carolina's Governor Pat McCrory and the North Carolina Department of Commerce recognized the best apprenticeship programs in North Carolina for their leadership in a ceremony. On November 5th, NCTAP, Apprenticeship 2000, Apprenticeship Catawba and Siemens Charlotte were all recognized for their leadership and mentoring of two new groups in Guilford and Alamance counties.

SCHUNK is a partner in the NCTAP Program, which is a 4-year program, based in North Carolina's Triangle area, that focuses on integrated basic training which develops technical, methodological, and social skills. The core training program gives apprentices an excellent opportunity to develop a wide range of skills with a hands-on approach.

Milton Guerry, President, SCHUNK highlighted the apprentices: "We are extremely proud of our apprentices and their tenacious drive to learn. They add tremendous value to SCHUNK and we enjoy watching them grow within our company."

The Governor, Pat McCrory, spoke during the ceremony regarding the importance of apprenticeship programs in NC and the Nation as well as the impact of the right education for our young adults.

Jack Rensel, a second year SCHUNK apprentice, also spoke about his life before NCTAP, how he found out about the program, and how much he has learned in the program at SCHUNK in the past 12 months. Jack stated that the program allowed him "to really understand the manufacturing environment and how everybody in the process comes together for a big picture". The audience was touched by his enthusiasm.

To learn more, please visit NCTAPs website at www.nctap.org or go to http://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/