Two SPX Transformer Solutions employees have graduated from apprentice to journeyman.
Billy Patterson of Grantham and Robert Reinhold Jr. of MarMac completed the SPX Apprenticeship program and earned journeyman certificates from the North Carolina Community College System鈥檚 ApprenticeshipNC initiative and the United States Department of Labor.
The two received on-the-job training as maintenance technicians at the SPX plant in Goldsboro while working toward an associate in applied science degree in Industrial Systems Technology at 黑料正能量. At this point, they have completed the requirements for journeyman status and can earn their degrees in the next year.
鈥淭hey made a decision that they didn鈥檛 just want to work at SPX, they wanted to make a major difference,鈥� said Jamie Humphrey, SPX training program and curriculum coordinator. 鈥淭hey knocked it out of the park.鈥�
Prior to the apprenticeship program, Reinhold had worked as 鈥渨inder鈥� on the plant. Patterson went to work at SPX because of the apprenticeship opportunity.
鈥淚t takes a lot of commitment and hard work to go to college, go to work, and take care of your personal lives,鈥� ApprenticeshipNC Field Supervisor Dale Yarborough told the men. 鈥淵ou will make a difference in SPX and the community.鈥�
鈥淭hey have taken anywhere from two to three classes per semester, even through COVID,鈥� said WCC Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning Coordinator Kristie Sauls.
Sauls noted that they were the first two apprentices she registered for classes when she moved into her job in 2019, adding, 鈥渢oday I get to see you graduate.鈥�
She relayed that she had observed them coming to class straight from working night shift.
鈥淭here were times I鈥檓 sure they wanted to quit. I鈥檓 sure there were times that [between] their family life, [and] their work life, they were like, 鈥榳hy do I have to go to school?鈥欌�� Sauls said. 鈥淏ut you persevered and made it through, and here we are today.鈥�
About ApprenticeshipNC
ApprenticeshipNC, which is part of the North Carolina Community College System, works with businesses, industry groups and other organizations to establish registered apprenticeships in North Carolina.
The registered apprenticeship program meets the needs of employers by providing the employee with structured on-the-job learning, related instruction, and a progressive wage scale. Registered apprentices earn state and national credentials certifying their skills.
Most of the North Carolina鈥檚 community colleges provide classroom instruction that accompanies apprentices鈥� work-based training. Thirty-one of the state鈥檚 58 community colleges have established apprenticeship programs in partnership with local businesses.
ApprenticeshipNC served 15,657 North Carolinians during fiscal year 2019-2020, the most in the past 10 years. The number is 37 percent higher than the previous year鈥檚 total.
About SPX Transformer Solutions
SPX Transformer Solutions designs, manufactures and tests a complete line of medium and large power liquid-filled transformers top rated from 5 to 1200 MVA, with primary voltages through 345kV. The Goldsboro transformer manufacturing plant contains state-of-the-art manufacturing and computerized scheduling systems that enable production of medium power transformers that meet the highest industry standards.
黑料正能量
黑料正能量 is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves more than 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 140 college credit programs. WCC鈥檚 mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.
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