SANFORD, N.C. - The baton was passed from graduating apprentices to a new, incoming class when the Caterpillar Youth Apprenticeship in Welding held its annual celebration on May 21 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center.

A partnership among Caterpillar, Central Carolina Community College, Lee County Schools and N.C. Community Colleges, the apprenticeship trains high school students for a high-demand career and helps provide the skilled workforce needed for Caterpillar and other high-tech industries to succeed.

CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman opened festivities honoring the 14 graduates, noting that the commitment they demonstrated over the two-year apprenticeship was “the envy across the state.” Most of all, she wanted all to appreciate what they have accomplished, telling the graduates, “This is a really, really … really … big deal.”

Soon after the innovative apprenticeship was created by local organizations more than one decade ago, it was praised by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2013 as a “partnership worth repeating.” Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach said the Caterpillar Youth Apprenticeship has remained so successful and prestigious because everyone involved has worked hard to create opportunity for local students.

“Any time you can combine a local business, local school system and a local community college,” he said, “it’s a powerful thing.”

Graduates receive a 12-hour Industrial Systems Certificate from CCCC, a High School Recognition Certificate from the North Carolina Community College System, accrued work hours that will be applied toward their adult apprenticeship and a preferred employment opportunity at Caterpillar in Sanford.

During much of the half-hour ceremony, graduates were highlighted individually, each walking from a seating area on stage to receive their certificate and a pin while their names and personal comments about the occasion were read from the podium by Dr. Sara Newcomb, an executive director at the college who helps lead the apprenticeship.

One of the graduates, Justin McLeod, was selected by his peers to make a few remarks. He thanked by name all of the teachers and staff involved in the apprenticeship and expressed appreciation for friends and family in the audience who provided support.

But he reserved special accolades for his colleagues. “When we first started, we were a random bunch of people who I didn’t know at all and they turned out to be some of my best friends in the world,” he said. After listing a few of their experiences on the job, he continued: “They were really people who I could trust.”

Before graduates received their certificates, Caterpillar Fabrications Production Manager Junior Landaverde introduced the incoming class of welding apprentices, who stood in the first two rows as their names were called. Each was presented a Caterpillar T-shirt and cap to mark the occasion and Landaverde gave a quick preview of what the students will experience, beginning with some challenging – and hot – summer months ahead.

“During this time, you will step outside your comfort zone,” he said. “You will start building foundational skills that will forever help you succeed in life without ever realizing it. So, remember this: When you’re sweating through your weld jacket in the middle of July, this experience will forever have an impact on your life and those around you.”

Class of 2024 Graduates: Brayan Albino, Maritza Alvarez Castaneda, Brandon Casarrubias, Cristian Castro Reyes, Alexander Davidson, Victor Gonzalez Miner, Cameron Key, Denizerick Leach, Justin McLeod, Christofer Miranda Perez, Cassy Colleen Penny, Brandon Rodriguez, Alexander Touchard and Cameron Vaughan.

Class of 2026 Inductees: Jhoander Acevedo, Dakota Buchanan, Yadimir Bustos, Eduardo Calixto, Edgar Campos, Ashley Estrada Gomez, Austin Godfrey, Dustin Harrington, Haven Hosang, Roberto Lule, Jadyn Macedo, James Matthews, Allan Morales, Ronnie Onofre, Adrian Ramos and Darrin Webster.