SANFORD -- Sixteen individuals were recently recognized as members of this year's graduating class from the Caterpillar Youth Apprentice Program. In addition, the newest program inductees were recognized.

The Caterpillar Youth Apprenticeship Program is a partnership that includes Central Carolina Community College, Lee County Schools, Caterpillar's Sanford plant, and the N.C. Department of Commerce.

The Caterpillar Youth Apprentice Program in welding was developed by, and is a partnership among, Caterpillar, CCCC, Lee County Schools, and the N.C. Department of Commerce. The goal of the program is to train high school students through their junior and senior years for critical, high-demand, well-paying careers in welding, as well as to help provide the skilled workforce Caterpillar and other modern industries need.

The students continue their high school studies during their junior and senior years while taking welding and manufacturing-related classes. They train at CCCC's Lee County Campus or its Industry Training Center at the Lee County Innovation Center three days a week and work/train at Caterpillar two days per week.

Successful and qualifying students will receive:

• 12-hour Welding Certificate from Central Carolina Community College.
• High School Recognition Certificate from the N.C. Department of Commerce.
• Career Readiness Certificate.
• Work hours accrued will be applied toward their adult apprenticeship.
• A preferred employment opportunity at Caterpillar, Inc.

Brad Crace, Caterpillar Operations Manager, welcomed those in attendance.

Pamela Howze, Director of Work-Based Learning, N.C. Department of Commerce, asked the graduates to stand to applaud their families in attendance.

"Caterpillar is a wonderful global company to work for and you're very privileged to be a part of that," said Howze, adding that the U.S. will be in a crisis in the next three years as 8 million jobs will not be able to be filled because people have not had proper training. "Thank goodness Caterpillar and your local public private partnerships were able to be innovative and creative to give these young people the training that they need to work for a very lucrative company and a very wonderful place."

Dr. T.E. Marchant, President of Central Carolina Community College, told the graduates that they have accomplished something that is truly unique. "You've successfully created this program, you've successfully finished it, and now you're about to engage in the world of work. I think that's absolutely fantastic," he said. "I hope that this is the beginning of a great career."

Dr. Marchant told the newest inductees that he is proud of them as well and is looking forward to them being just as successful as the new graduates.

Dr. Andy Bryan, Superintendent of Lee County Schools, noted that the program illustrates the power of partnership and the power of community. "We're so excited for our graduates and everything they have accomplished," he said.

Members of the graduating class are Christopher Baker, Cody Baker, Gage Chambley, Tristian Dennis, Brandon Donathan, Jonathan Godfrey, Noel Martinez, Joseph Matthews, Jesse Moore, Adan Renteria-Lascano, Duncan Riddle IV, William Semar Jr., Sir William Shoop, Fernando Terrones, Ellizon Torres, and Ivan Vilchis.

The newest program inductees are Rey Antonio, Bradley Cameron, Korey Collins, Jeremy Hedrick, Jamie Dillon, Jordan Jacobs, Margret Lawler, Harris Lanier, Shelby Leggitt, Abril Salinas, Quarren Schwegler, Christopher Taylor, Erick Terrones, Daniel Villagomez, and William Wilder.

Other students in the program include James Byrd, Isidro Castaneda-Flores, Christian Cedeno-Lemus, Robert Cockerham, Aidan Dorman, Hayden Douglas, Kourtney Ellerby, Patrick Hinzman, Hannah Jones, Andrew Lin, Robert Marble, Matthew Mutchler, Zachary Powers, Nathan Repko, Edgar Terrones, and Bernard Williams

CAT-Manufacturing Engineering inductees are Payton Jackson, Saul Vivas, and Storm Whitehead.

Following the graduation and induction program, a tour of the Caterpillar facility was available to the attendees.

For more information on the Caterpillar Youth Apprenticeship Program, contact Dr. Stephen Athans, CCCC Dean of Vocational & Technical Programs, at 919-718-7287 or email sathans@cccc.edu.