BUILDING STRONGER WORKFORCE PATHWAYS THROUGH COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION IN DUPLIN COUNTY
On Friday, April 24, James Sprunt Community College (JSCC) hosted its first-ever Apprenticeship Luncheon, bringing together key partners to spark meaningful conversation and strengthen collaborative efforts toward building a successful apprenticeship program in Duplin County.
Elizabeth Howard, Dean of Business and Industry at JSCC, shared, “This meeting was focused on creating a shared commitment to strengthen our workforce and provide meaningful opportunities for our students and community.”
Star Jackson, Director of Customized Training and Apprenticeship, added, “Our goal in coordinating this event is to align workforce needs with educational pathways, ensuring that both our students and local industries thrive.”
The luncheon saw strong attendance from community and workforce leaders, including representatives from ApprenticeshipNC, NCWorks, Duplin County Schools, and JSCC. Local employers such as Lear Corporation, Butterball, Design Mode Cabinetry, Pack Farms, and Hydroworks also participated, contributing valuable insight to the discussion.
JSCC President Dr. Shannon Hair emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “It was great to have so many partners in the room discussing the importance of a pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship model here in Duplin County. As Duplin County Schools, James Sprunt Community College, and ApprenticeshipNC continue to strengthen this partnership, our students, graduates, and local workforce will benefit from a structured ‘earn-while-you-learn’ approach. Combining paid, on-the-job training with classroom instruction creates a win-win for our community and prepares our future leaders for high-skilled, in-demand careers.”
Key discussion topics included expanding both pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship models, as well as introducing students to career pathways at an earlier stage to build a strong and sustainable workforce pipeline. Howard added, “By working collaboratively, we can ensure alignment between education and industry needs while creating clear, intentional pathways from pre-apprenticeship to registered apprenticeship.”
The event concluded with a powerful presentation from Tristan “Trey” Garris, who shared his experience in the apprenticeship program alongside his employer, offering valuable perspective from both the student and industry viewpoints.
JSCC remains committed to advancing its apprenticeship initiatives and strengthening partnerships across the community. For more information about this initiative, please contact Star Jackson at sjackson@jamessprunt.edu.
