Alan Rangel Vargas participated in 黑料正能量鈥檚 first pre-apprenticeship program last summer to explore career opportunities. His experience in the program opened many doors for him, including a registered apprenticeship with Mt. Olive Pickle Company.
Career exploration
When Vargas was considering his future after graduating from Spring Creek High School in 2024, he applied for and was accepted into WCC鈥檚 advanced manufacturing pre-apprenticeship academy. He had already developed a love of welding and was interested in what he could learn about the manufacturing industry.
The Southeastern Education and Economic Development (SEED) pre-apprenticeship program held at WCC was created by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education and sponsored by Smithfield Foods. The program offers participants a paid education, hands-on learning experience, weekly field trips to local businesses, and college credit through classroom instruction.
Through the SEED program, Vargas learned new skills in engineering, maintenance, machining, industrial systems, and mechatronics. SEED also gained statewide exposure, and Vargas was able to meet Roy Cooper, former NC governor, and was invited to the governor鈥檚 mansion to represent SEED in a panel discussion.
Approaching the end of the seven-week program, Vargas became interested in continuing with a registered apprenticeship. Kristie Sauls, WCC executive director of apprenticeships and career development, shared his resume with WCC鈥檚 employer partners. On the last day of the SEED academy, Mt. Olive Pickle Company hired Vargas as an engineering apprentice.
Learning by doing
As an apprentice, Vargas attends classes for WCC鈥檚 Mechanical Engineering Technology program one day a week to help teach him the skills he needs in his job. 鈥淢y experience at WCC has been wonderful,鈥� he shared. 鈥淭hey have a system where it鈥檚 very balanced for the student and a lot less stressful than I thought it would be.鈥�
WCC鈥檚 Mechanical Engineering Technology program prepares students for careers as engineering technicians, . The program offers an associate in applied science degree and several certificates. Interested students can also pursue a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from East Carolina University through their transfer partnership with WCC.
In addition to his schoolwork, Vargas enjoys having a job at Mt. Olive Pickle Company that provides variety in his day-to-day tasks. 鈥淲e do anything from designing machines to manufacturing new products, and we鈥檙e always trying to improve our machinery. I love it,鈥� he said. 鈥淗opefully, I鈥檒l stay with Mt. Olive Pickle Company for years to come after the apprenticeship ends.鈥�
Finding a career path
Vargas believes his experience in SEED prepared him for his four-year registered apprenticeship. 鈥淚t really gave me a good understanding of what it鈥檚 going to take to be an apprentice,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hands-on experience, which is what you鈥檒l be doing at work, not just learning from a book.鈥�
Participating in SEED led Vargas to his career. Because of the doors the SEED program opened for him, he would encourage other students to consider applying for WCC鈥檚 pre-apprenticeship academies. 鈥淭ake every opportunity that you can. 黑料正能量 is a great start,鈥� Vargas said.
The deadline to apply for WCC鈥檚 SEED advanced manufacturing and agriculture academies is Friday, Feb. 14. Applicants must attend an information session to be accepted.
To learn more about apprenticeships at WCC, contact Sauls (kjsauls@waynecc.edu or 919-739-7063) or