Embedded Files
Career and Technical Education includes the 16 different career pathways. This video highlights the Automotive Technology program available in SC high schools. Mark Adams is the Auto Tech Teacher in Fort Mill School District. His program is housed at Nation Ford HS so students from Catawba Ridge HS and Fort Mill HS take the shutter or transport themselves to and from their home school.
Click on the title to see one student's story of how he discovered aerospace engineering in high school. Project Lead the Way curricula is offered at all three FMSD high schools. To learn more about the various engineering classes available look at the Program of Studies under the student, resources tab.
Construction Internships/Careers
Construction Internships/Careers
Navigator Program Summer 2025 Application
Ideal Candidate:
18 years or older
Reliable transportation plan
Wanting/Needing a new career opportunity
Interested in the homebuilding industry
Our program is four weeks of personal and professional development days to prepare one for a job in the homebuilding industry. We also expose participants to potential jobs with field site visits. During these four weeks, we provide a $500 scholarship to assist with food and transportation.
Please reach out if you have any questions!
Jackie Fitzella
Builders Bridge Career Track Engagement Specialist
M: (703) 638-5338
The HGC Academy, their state-of-the-art training facility, is home to three CAT simulators, large training rooms, a collaboration studio and flex spaces. If you are interested in a rewarding, hands-on career in the construction industry, consider applying for their paid summer internship.
Some of the different jobs/departments available within our team: estimating, project management, survey, erosion control, mass grading, utilities, fine grading, concrete, and fleet management.
Samet oversees the trades on construction projects. Their paid, high school summer internships are six weeks with four weeks on the construction sites with project managers. To learn more, watch the video when FMHS student Joaquim interviewed Atalia Taylor, Project Diversity and Development Coordinator with Samet. Email Susan Brackett at bracketts@fortmillschools.org if you want to apply.
Use the QR code to sign up to visit Engine Power Source on one of these dates/times
2/25/25 at 4pm
2/26/25 at 4:30pm
3/3/25 at 4pm
3/5/25 at 4:30pm
Scott Lane, Human Resources Manager at EPS
"Coleman Harrison impressed us from his first interview. He was dressed to impress and prepared by having researched EPS. The interview questions he answered were solid and gave us justifications for his answers. He stood out from that point forward. While working the summer internship he enrolled in York Tech and continued to work full-time hours. Continuing his education is key to his success. He volunteered to learn more and was moved into a tough area to learn as our dyno technician. This position requires attention to detail, and he gets to fire up (hot run) our diesel engines to make sure the engines meet the horsepower and torque the customer’s application requires. He used his knowledge of truck engines to learn and understand how the diesel industrial engine operates. His positive attitude and want to learn more about Kubota engines has made him an important part of the remanufacturing team. He asked to be enrolled in our Kubota online classes. He is currently completing the full range of Kubota training. Coleman is excelling and will continue to earn more while learning and working. This combination creates success for Coleman and EPS.
At EPS we want to recruit from the high school level and pay them during their internship. Young folks love to try new things; having the interns keeps our staff in tune with the latest trending items so we learn from the intern as well. We try to create a work environment where employees enjoy being at EPS for 8 to 10 hours a day. Life goes by quickly so you must enjoy what you do. Having this positive attitude will make you excel in life. We have found that having this relationship gives the high school intern a “real world” learning environment. Instead of jumping into the deep end, they can make sure the water temperature is just right before taking the plunge. As an employer we also want to see if the intern fits into our culture. Training is a huge investment and knowing that the intern has the basic skill set makes our decision much easier when offering the intern a full-time position once their education is complete. Those traits that are examined as an intern are as follows: attendance, positive attitude, being able to work without your cell phone in your hand, being able to listen to instructions and flexibility. As we guide the intern throughout our operations, we empower them to move into positions that interest them since there are many different variables to see if that is a career path they would like. We try to build our workforce with young talent, and it has been a fun adventure for EPS."
Click the company logo to learn more.
Lorie Harrison, Coleman's Mom
Coleman decided to jump right in and work full time and go to school and as a result he has learned to set priorities. He has been dedicated to learning all he can at EPS. It is great to see him mature and prosper.
Coleman Harrison, Fort Mill HS '19 Graduate, EPS employee
"For as long as I can remember success or rather just exceeding expectations has been very important to me. It all started with sports. I played sports from the ages of 5 to 18. I played baseball, basketball, soccer, football, and even ran track. But no matter the sport it all came down to self-discipline whether it was showing up on time for practice and games or being willing to do more on my own to become better. I began seriously applying this logic to jobs so I could have money of my own in middle school. I started out helping a friend who had a landscaping business in the neighborhood. I would ride my bike and work all day sometimes doing multiple jobs a weekend. I used this money to buy things I wanted.
In high school, I got a job at Harris Teeter where I worked 5-10 pm throughout the week. This required a lot of time management, showing up on time because you were taking over for someone who was previously there, and some very late nights sometimes until closing at 11 pm after being at school for 7 hours. In my junior year, I decided I wanted to get a bigger truck, and I couldn't just do that with one job so I got another job in the summer. I worked for Mosquito Guard and sprayed the yards and surrounding areas to prevent mosquitos and other pests from coming around. From Monday to Friday I would drive around in my truck and spray houses all day sometimes doing 15 houses a day (20 minute minimum per house). This job above all else taught me efficiency and time-management.
Being efficient means understanding everything you have to do before you worry about getting it done in a timely manner. Once you fully understand what you’re doing by taking the time to ask extra questions and doing research, time-management comes easy. You get the big picture basically. I continued to work this job Monday ~ Friday as well as work at Harris Teeter Saturday mornings and sometimes helping a guy who was remodeling a house on Sundays if I had the time.
By the end of the summer I had saved enough money to buy the truck I wanted. Once my senior year started I went back to my normal schedule at Harris Teeter until graduation in 2019 because Mrs. Brackett worked so hard to get me interviews at many different companies and I felt Engine Power Sources (EPS) was the best fit for me.
After almost two years of living on my own and working at EPS, I can say this place is full of opportunities to learn and get hands-on experience. Our different departments:
Teardown Department: fully teardown engines and clean all of the parts and make sure the engine’s block and head aren’t cracked
Machine Shop: machine blocks, crankshafts, heads, connecting rods, and build rocker shafts
Engine Builders: use everything previously listed to rebuild an engine
Dyno Wash: run the engines and check for any rarely made mistakes and clean them and put them in our shipping department to be sent to the customer. This is where I am currently working.
EPS also has a Service Department, OEM, Electrical, Prototype, and Fab/Weld Shop where you can learn a plethora of useful information from great teachers who have been doing these jobs for a long time.
All in all my “success” is a result of showing up on time, working hard no matter what job you have, and learning from listening. You should always take away something from a conversation or a demonstration, and, if you don’t, don’t ever be afraid to ask questions."
Criteria for Applying:
Unweighted GPA: 2.5-2.8 is the minimum
Behavior and Attendance: no serious behavior issues & fewer than 5 absences/year
Age requirement: Each company may have unique age requirements.
Curriculum: Each company within the consortium has different career paths that can be pursued, such as Computer Integrated Machining and Mechatronics at CPCC or Machine Tool and Industrial Maintenance at York Tech.
Contract agreement: All companies have some sort of agreement in place that students will need to sign. Most are simply at-will work agreements. Siemens and Groninger require an agreement that tuition and book costs must be paid back if the apprentice is fired for any reason or chooses to quit before finishing. Schaeffler requires a two-year employment obligation at the end of their program.
Employment Status: Siemens hires the apprentices as contract employees. After two years they become full-time Siemens employees with benefits. All the other companies hire with full-time status and benefits from the first day.
Salary/bonuses: All apprentices have a progressive wage scale, whereby at the end of the apprenticeship, DOL mandates apprentices make 85% of the entry level equivalent. However, each company develops their own progressive wage scale and incentive pay.
Steven Rojas, Joey Fessia, Susan Brackett and Kaylee Loyst Chiron Apprentices & Graduates
Manufacturing Apprenticeships
Manufacturing Apprenticeships
44 FMSD students have earned apprenticeships over the past nine years. Several have already purchased their own homes. Companies invest $200k in each apprentice over the 3.5-4 years so the selection process is very competitive. It starts in the fall of each school year and ends at the end of July the following year after a paid summer internship.
We currently work with several manufacturing companies, which recruit students from high schools and/or colleges in the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. See their joint PowerPoint presentation.
Apprenticeship 2000 companies/ types of apprenticeships:
Mechatronics Engineering Technology
CNC Machinist
The training in these programs is nearly the same for both tracks for the first two years so students don’t need to decide this until their third year.
Mold Maker ~ recruiting one apprentice in 2021
CNC Machinist
Apprenticeship Charlotte companies:
Mechanical Engineering Technologist
Mechatronics
CNC Machinist
CNC Machinist
Mechatronics Electrician
Mechatronics Technician
Carowinds has Electrical and Mechanical Ride Maintenance apprenticeships registered with the State of SC and the US Dept. of Labor. Check out the applications for each and ask questions:
Ashley Hogon
Workforce Solutions Coordinator
Communications and External Relations Division
York Technical College
452 S. Anderson Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730
Tel: 803.981.7348 | Fax: 803.981.7327
Learn more on the Schaeffler North America website.
Apprentices are paid Schaeffler employees from day one. The benefits of the Schaeffler Apprenticeship Program include, but are not limited to:
Free tuition and books
401k (matching up to 6%)
Health Insurance
Uniforms
Tools
Interested individuals can visit the Schaeffler Job Portal, search by location (Fort Mill, SC) to see all of the jobs currently open, including our apprenticeship program.
Jesse Spain
Technical Training & Apprenticeship Program / Fort Mill
Spain, Jesse NH/IBC-HDT spainjss@schaeffler.com
803-396-3634
The Schaeffler Group is a global automotive and industrial supplier whose continuing success is built upon quality, outstanding technology, and an extraordinary innovative ability. Schaeffler manufactures high-precision components and systems for engine, transmission, and chassis applications. Schaeffler is located in Fort Mill, SC and is comprised of two manufacturing plants with a focus in the automotive and industrial lines of business.
The Schaeffler Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide a combination of classroom and hands-on training to develop skilled trade workers. The goal is to develop highly skilled workers that support growing business needs and understand the advanced technology of high-speed production facilities. The Apprenticeship Program consists of individuals taking manufacturing related courses at York Technical College as well as working at the Schaeffler Plant. Apprentices will graduate with an associate’s degree from York Tech followed by a Journeyman Certificate from the Department of Labor after one and a half years of on-the-job training.
Pre-Apprenticeships are for those still in high school and most be worked out with FMSD Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Susan Brackett, and Jesse Spain.
Pre-Apprentice Work Processes/Goals
Familiar with hands tools & measuring equipment
Familiar with basic metalworking equipment & machines
Familiar with the different types of materials used
Familiar with basic machine operations
Familiar with Tool Room/Machine Shop Theory
Familiar with CNC operations
Familiar with basic blueprint reading
Familiar with basic Hydraulics &Pneumatics
Familiar with basic electrical equipment & systems
All Related High School and/or CTE Courses (preferably Machine Tool Technology or other related Tooling pathways)
Schaeffler Safety, Quality & Processes
Eight Catawba Ridge HS students visited Schaeffler in April, 2023 to check out the apprenticeship and career options. Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Alex Perry, took them on a tour of Fort Mill 1 plant and answered questions. He noted they were some of the best questions he's had from students.
Jesse Spain and his Apprentice JC visited with PLTW students at Nation Ford HS and Catawba Ridge HS on 3/9/23. Watch their presentation where they talk about Schaeffler and the apprenticeship and employment opportunities available to graduates.
Bosch Rexroth is where you'll work with advanced manufacturing equipment, automation and software. To learn more about becoming a CNC Machinist Apprenticeships click here for a PowerPoint presentation.
Read about the future of CNC Operators. "The Fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming the world of work through artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, automation, analytics, and the Internet of Things. Despite common fears, these technologies are likely to create more jobs than they replace—as illustrated by the tight labor conditions in the US and global manufacturing industry." Deloitte An estimated 3.5 million positions in manufacturing will be available by 2025, with only 1.5 million expected to be filled.
Haskell is a architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firm that hosted 17 FMSD students on 12/19/23. Watch the video where all of these professionals share their preparation for getting to where they are and what their work involves. You'll learn about this successful company and the people that keep it thriving. After you watch the video you may have follow-up questions for one or more of these people.
Charlie Rocheleau
Vice President, Planning & Development
Danny Brindisi
Design Manager
Seth Byrd
Project Architect
Josh Burkard
Senior Engineer, Structural
Jonathan Luu
Senior Engineer, Mechanical
Sean Joseph
Design Associate, Electrical Engineering
Tyler Mitchell
Preconstruction Manager
Brock Wortman
Senior Project Director
Lane Sutton
Market Construction Leader
To learn more about SC Dept of Transportation employment opportunities, watch the video.
The Highway Maintenance Worker I – Small Equipment Operator position does not require any education or experience…just a valid driver’s license. The starting pay for this position is $41,600 and that comes with all of the wonderful State benefits. Our General Maintenance Tech I (building maintenance) also doesn’t require any experience or education and starts at $37,440.
Other positions like Traffic Signal Tech I and Transportation Engineering Tech I only require a high school diploma and valid driver’s license but no experience. Those start in the upper 30s to low 40s.
Simply visit the link below, and search in the county of your preference. All open positions in that county and any adjacent counties will filter into your search.
If you are interested in a career with the DOT, contact:
Suzanna Conrad | HR Coordinator
SCDOT District 4
1232 J. A. Cochran Bypass
PO Box 130
Chester, SC 29706
Office: 803-385-4274
Mobile: 803-319-0648
Holder Construction offers construction management services. They oversee local projects like the Charlotte airport and convention center to famous buildings like Apple's headquarters in California.
SME Inc. does testing and evaluation of the materials used during the construction process to help ensure the structure is built per design. We test soils, concrete, masonry, structural steel, reinforcing steel, asphalt, fireproofing, etc. Certifications include DOT based certifications, International Code Council (ICC), National Institute of Engineering Technology (NICET), American Concrete Institute (ACI), and various others.
High school graduates start out as an Entry Level Testing Technician at $15/hr with an assigned work truck. Entry level positions can earn around $45,000 the first year. You can progress your career with a combination of certifications and experience. A senior technician can earn up to $90,000 a year.
Two-year civil engineering technology degrees can start around $18/hr.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering starts around $52,000 and Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology starts around $48,000.
Telford E. Wood, CET SI
Construction Services Field Services Manager
704.523.4726 twood@smeinc.com
Building Operator
Building Operator
Building systems are complex and interdependent. To get the most out of them, operators must be able to see the big picture. The Building Operator Certification® (BOC) program teaches facilities personnel to understand these systems and bring them collectively to peak efficiency. Finding a training program.
SouthWood: Turnkey Sign Manufacturing. Multiple skills & trades with on-site and hands-on training.
SouthWood is an industry-leading designer, manufacturer, and installer of architectural signage throughout the United States and beyond. We're a rapidly growing, high-energy, fast paced custom sign shop looking for graduates that are willing to cross-train in multiple departments across our production floor. We're seeking driven individuals that can work with a dynamic team to achieve production goals.
Areas of Production:
CNC Routing
Digital Printing & Vinyl Application
Metal Fabrication
Wash & paint prep
Paint (Hand Painting & Spray Painting)
Assembly & Electrical
Shipping & Receiving
(Experience with Adobe Illustrator is a +)
The application process:
1) apply at careers@southwoodcorp.com or in person.
2) Interview and tour the shop.
4101 Celanese Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732
Interested in becoming a pilot or working in another aviation career path, such as engineer or mechanic? Check out the interviews done by students with pilots, aircraft mechanics and aerospace engineer on this site under Business/Videos. Other resources:
EAA Chapter 961 Young Eagles:
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is a national organization, and the York County Chapter is 961 offers the Young Eagles program where students between 8 and 17 years of age can go up with an experienced pilot for 1 or 2 flights (15-20 minutes each) to see if it’s something they enjoy and want to continue. There is no cost to do this since the pilots volunteer their time and expertise and use donated airplanes. Contact either Bob Kudwa or Joe Baker referenced on this website.
Rock Hill Flyers and David Griffin Aviation Foundation:
Thanks to experienced pilots volunteering their time, talent and planes, students with financial need can apply for financial aid through the David Griffin Aviation Foundation. Those accepted will fly for the cost of fuel (approximately $35/hour flight time) and can pursue their private pilots license which requires a minimum of 40 hours flight time. Contact Ken Nelson (nelsonk957@gmail.com) to apply.
Civil Air Patrol (Cadet):
CAP is a non-profit organization that serves as the civilian auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force. As a CAP cadet, you will participate in a year-round program where you fly, learn to lead, hike, camp, get in shape and push yourself to new limits. Check out the CAP website.
Private Training Programs:
Both offer young people in York County training to obtain their private pilots license. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a minimum of 40 hours but most log 50-60 hours before being tested. With all the costs accounted for the total is typically $10-12k. ACES offers financing through Pilot Finance, LLC so payments can be made over up to five years or approximately $200 per month. Note, you must be 15.5 to solo and 17 to get your license.
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) offers training to Fast Track Your Pilot Career to All Major Airlines (website)
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): offers lots of information. Academies now exist for the major airlines, and it’s not necessary to have a minimum # of flight hours to apply. Students can finance the academy training costs (approximately $100k). One of the more enlightening videos is From High School to Flight Deck ~ Airline Cadet Programs What is the quickest way for a high school student to earn a seat on the flight deck of an airliner? Reps from three airline cadet programs—American Airlines Cadet Academy, Southwest Airlines Destination 225°, and United Airlines Aviate Academy— discuss their direct pathways from high school to professional pilot careers. Being in good medical condition (physical and mental) is important to being a pilot. Get details on the first class medical certification. AOPA: FAA Medical Certification and High School Students
Airline Pilot Life is an online community where students can ask actual airline pilots flight training and airline related questions. The pilot mentors on this forum are volunteers who love flying and want to share their knowledge with anybody who might be interested in learning to fly for a living.
Flight hours required for NetJets and US Regional Carriers (shorter flights in smaller planes):
Must be 21 years of age and flight time requirements vary with education
1500 hours with no aviation credits
1250 hours with a qualifying 2 or 4yr aviation university program with 30 aviation hours / credits
1000 hours with a qualifying 2 or 4 year university program with 60 aviation hours / credits
Check out this link for Aviation Scholarships through Scholarships.com.
College Scholarships.com also has Aviation Scholarships.
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA) offers scholarships too.
Professional organizations for aviation professionals are a great way to connect to other aviators and may provide additional benefits such as scholarships and preferential hiring. When these organizations have conferences, the airlines have been attending and offering interviews on site.
WAI Women in Aviation International - Men can join as well, but the target is women.
ISA+21 International Society of Women Airline Pilots - all women and they go above and beyond to support and encourage female aviators
Whirly Girls - helicopter specific, but a non profit w/ scholarships
Ninety-Nines - most historic but not as active
OBAP Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. They have lots of influence in the industry.
The Aim High Flight Academy (AHFA) is an aviation scholarship for a three-week introductory flight program at various college universities across the country.
The Aim High Flight Academy (AHFA) is an aviation scholarship for a three-week introductory flight program at various college universities across the country.
Objectives for selected students:
Objectives for selected students:
* Complete of up to 15 flight hours, and
* Understand the pathway to becoming an Air Force rated officer and various aviation professions.
* Understand the pathway to becoming an Air Force rated officer and various aviation professions.
Who can apply:
High school students, ages 16–18 with at least a 3.0 GPA submit an official transcript with their application. No previous flight experience or flight hours are required.
High school students, ages 16–18 with at least a 3.0 GPA submit an official transcript with their application. No previous flight experience or flight hours are required.
Since SC is part of the Academic Common Market, kids from SC can study Aviation at MTSU and only pay the in-state tuition. What a bargain!
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has one of the most respected aerospace programs in the nation. 21 faculty members, 100+ flight instructors, and over 1,000 majors places it among the largest of the nation's collegiate aviation programs. If you major in Aerospace at MTSU you can choose among six concentrations: Aviation Management, Aerospace Technology, Flight Dispatch, Maintenance Management, Professional Pilot, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations. A Master's degree in Aeronautical Science, is also offered.
Some other great aviation college options:
Liberty University has a very good program, fairly new. It is a Christian school.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL site) is strong in aviation. It’s a private school so a lot of students who go there for aviation chose to do an ROTC scholarship to pay for it.
Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Broward College (FL) are also private schools and have strong programs.
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) has four locations. The closest is in Mrytle Beach. They teach Aviation Maintenance and Aviation Electronics. The school is non-profit and offers internships, financial aid & job placement.
Sally Kasevic, PIA Admissions Specialist, presents to students on 3/10/23 in Nation Ford HS Auto Tech. Watch!
Boeing offers a variety of college internships. Fort Mill School District graduates who go to college for any of these engineering and business areas may want to consider an internship with a world-renown company. Search here.
Boeing offers a variety of college internships. Fort Mill School District graduates who go to college for any of these engineering and business areas may want to consider an internship with a world-renown company. Search here.
Business ~ Sales & Marketing, Communications
Data Science and Analytics & Information Technology
Cyber Security
Manufacturing
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Logistics/Supply Chain Management
Finance
Example: Basic Qualifications for Boeing's Engineering Internships:
Ability to work full-time for 10-12 weeks during Summer 2023
Currently majoring in one of following core engineering/applied sciences disciplines (Aeronautical/Aerospace, Civil (especially Structural emphasis or interest), Chemical, Computer Engineering/Science, Electrical, Industrial, Materials, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mathematics, Physics, Software, Structural, Quality, Industrial Engineering Technical, Industrial Management, Operations Research, Engineering Mechanics, and Systems).
Enrolled student attending a college or university with an expected graduation date on or after August 2023
Comporium is a company that stays in front of the evolution of technology in the communications industry. In addition to providing voice, video, data, wireless, smart home (security) systems and advertising services; we are transforming the industry with new ventures that includes investment in companies that provide smart devices, connected home/car services and more.
Structured Cabling Technician – Assist in the installation of the structured cabling infrastructure that support customer’s voice, video and data networks.
Possible Career Path – Structured Cabling Technician – Lead Cabling Technician – Business Systems Technician – Sr. Technician - Supervisor
Construction Lineman – Construct and repair poles, cables, service wires and their supports for underground or overhead facilities.
Possible Career Path – Lineman – Sr. Lineman – Cable Facilities Technician/Splicer – Sr. Cable Facilities Technician/Splicer – Supervisor
Fort Mill Ford has worked with FMSD students for years. They invite Auto Tech Level 4 interns into their workplace.Tatiana "Tat" King graduated from Nation Ford HS. She helped her dad in the garage since he worked on his truck when he wasn't working. However, she first studied psychology only to realize that she would "need a PhD to be successful." Instead, she discovered that she "loves the trades," and the instructors at York Technical College and coworkers/mentors at FM Ford don't treat her any differently as a woman in this male-dominated industry.
ThinkBIG is a Caterpillar®-specific instructional program that pays you while you train to become a technician. Once accepted into this two-year program, you alternate between labs and classroom work, and a paid internship at a sponsoring Cat dealership. When you graduate, you will have earned an accredited degree backed up with over 2,000 hours of work experience.
Cummins is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines, filtration, and power generation products. Cummins also services engines and related equipment, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control, electrical power generation systems, and trucks. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins sells in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of more than 600 company-owned and independent distributors and approximately 6,000 dealers.
To learn more about Cummins Technician Apprentice Program (TAP), click on the logo. Jacob Kenworthy and Susan Brackett pictured
Jacob Kenworthy, Fort Mill HS '19 Graduate, Cummins TAP Apprentice
When Jacob applied for the Cummins apprenticeship, he shared the fact that he started his own lawn-care business at the age of 14 and continued to do that, as well as chop and deliver wood and hang Christmas lights even when he worked at Publix for more than two years. He said “I am always finding extra work and ways to make money. After saving enough to buy my first car, I began working on it. I paid for my repairs, insurance, and gas by myself through high school. During this time, I discovered that I liked fixing my truck and even did some work on my dirt bike. Whenever I had a problem I could usually fix it with a couple of friends or by watching YouTube videos. Some of the things I fixed were the brakes, window seal, radiator, ball joints and more. This displays my determination to learn, figure things out and follow through on work to completion. I am very interested in becoming an apprentice at Cummins and hope all of this gives you an idea of how motivated and hard-working I am. If given the opportunity, I will work hard to learn from all my Cummins mentors.”
May 2021
"I like the financial independence the apprenticeship provides. I’m glad to earn a good income while obtaining my associate's degree which is paid for by Cummins. I like the hands-on learning in classes and in the shop. I plan to pursue my bachelor's degree while working at Cummins and hope to qualify for the company's education reimbursement plan for classes taken outside of the apprenticeship. When the apprenticeship is complete, I hope to move into a field tech position and service generators; a position that allows me to get out of the shop and use my people skills." Jacob Kenworthy
Vicki Kenworthy, Jacob's Mom
I am super proud of Jacob. I love that the TAP program has given him the opportunity to learn, be independent and responsible. Jacob moved out 1.5 years ago and has been renting a house with friends. He has been completely financially self-sufficient since then, working and going to college. I strongly feel the work experience, maturity and independence through this process will easily put him ahead of his peers as he continues to apply his strong work ethic and goal setting.
I am incredibly thankful FMSD had Susan and team as a resource to learn about these opportunities for our kids. My husband and I have been able to share our
experience and the list of apprenticeship programs with numerous people searching for 'outside the box' ideas for their high schoolers. I'm not sure we would have known of so many opportunities if we had been in any other school district. I believe this type of information can make an incredible difference in kids' lives, as many know they don't necessarily want the traditional 4 year college path, but are not aware of the other options available.
Falcon is a world class supply solutions company currently offering an exciting
3-year Apprenticeship for Quality Inspector.
Mission: Optimize Supply Chains So People Have The Resources They Need To Make Life Better!
Falcon was founded in 1979 to help equipment manufacturers to become more productive and profitable by optimizing their inventory and supply chain operations. Falcon’s tailored lean replenishment solutions range from simple just-in-time (JIT) stocking programs to internet-of-things (IoT) industrial vending solutions.
Earn while you Learn!
Get paid 40 hours a week on a progressive wage scale (40 hours includes class and work time) Year 1 = $38,750/annual salary, Year 2 = $41,700/annual salary, Year 3 = $47,900/annual salary. Upon graduation of the program, Falcon will increase salary to $56,100/annual salary.
Earn Journeyman’s certificates from North Carolina and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science at Central Piedmont Community College. Tuition is paid for by Falcon.
Qualifications
High school graduates must have a cumulative High School GPA of 3.0.
College students must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
College Students must be currently enrolled in Mechatronics, ME Technology, EE Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, or Associate of Engineering programs to apply.
Students are required to change their Program of Study to Mechatronics Engineering Technology (AAS Degree) if selected.
Apprentices must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
Apprentices will work onsite at Falcon Headquarters located at 10715 John Price Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Starting date is TBD dependent upon the chosen applicant’s availability. If interested, contact:
Mike Broome | Quality Control & Strategic Purchasing Manager | mbroome@falconfastening.com D: 704.909.4480 | M: 704-345-8770
Rand Ernst, Program Chair
Nondestructive Examination (NDE)
Central Piedmont Community College (Harper)
704-330-4486
Click on the CPCC classroom or Carolina Impact photo to watch videos about this program and the possible careers.
CPCC offers one of only two east of the Mississippi, that has an Associate degree specifically in NDE. The six core NDE methods of ultrasonics, radiography, eddy current, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, and visual testing are taught. Starting pay $17/hr to $22/hr. PQNDT.com breaks pay down by industry and demographics.
NDE is a collection of industrial inspection methods that are in high demand in the manufacturing and maintenance industries. The industry has grown 12% over the last two years and is expected to grow by 26% over the next 10 years.
NDE is used in power generation (nuclear and fossil), transportation (aviation, ship building, railroads, bridges), petrochemical, manufacturing and construction. Career paths in NDE can range from technician, engineering, supervision, management, sales, or independent contractor. Work environments can range from laboratory settings to remote job sites requiring more physical labor. See below a few photos and this video of Rand Ernst demonstrating technology.
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