Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: Aiken Community Gathers for Bright Workforce Future

Celebrating Apprenticeships in Aiken: A Bright Future Ahead!

As the sun peeks out from behind the morning clouds in Aiken, SC, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air. The chilly temperature may drop to about 25°F tonight, but spirits are soaring high as the community gathers to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week at the Up & Atom Breakfast hosted by Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness!

Key Players at the Breakfast

On November 20, a lively group of local business leaders, educators, and enthusiastic presenters came together to discuss the future of apprenticeships in the region. Among the highlights was the engaging presentation by Booboo Roberts, who actively manages apprenticeship school and pipeline development training workforce programs. He shared insights on valuable partnership agencies that contribute to funding SRS (Savannah River Site) apprenticeships.

I mean, who wouldn’t be excited to hear about how the community is stepping it up to create a robust workforce? Lawrence Winburn from the Department of Labor chimed in on this enthusiasm too, sharing his pride in the impressive participation numbers for the apprenticeship programs.

Spotlighting Workforce Development

Attendees learned just how regional educational institutions are playing a vital role in shaping local career pathways. Mindy Mets, the vice president of strategic initiatives at the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization, highlighted that “these programs allow local citizens across the South Carolina and Georgia region to have multiple pathways to develop critical skills needed in today’s workforce.”

And she’s onto something! Thanks to the Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) grant, over 1,877 students have enrolled in training programs tailored for local careers. This grant is a collaboration funded by the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, emphasizing the community’s commitment to a skilled workforce.

A Collaborative Effort

The breakfast featured a fantastic lineup of presenters from various educational institutions, including:

• Dr. Steven F. Simmons – Dean of Technical and Continuing Education at Aiken Technical College
• Dr. Hadi Hamid – Assistant Vice President of Industrial Related Technologies and Workforce at Denmark Technical College
• Mylinthia Renee Kelly Ed.S – Workforce Development Coordinator at Augusta Technical College
• And of course, the enthusiastic current and former apprentices from across the Savannah River Site!

Together, these individuals are paving the way for the future, creating essential partnerships that help ensure our region continues to thrive.

Thanks to Community Partners

Recognizing the importance of collaboration, Roberts emphasized, “The growth of the apprenticeship programs in the region is a testament to visionaries who understand our future workforce needs. Without our community partners, jobs would be going unfilled and interested people would not have the ability to learn the skills needed to fill these positions.”

Some notable partners include the Technical College System of South Carolina, Aiken Technical College, Denmark Technical College, Augusta Technical College, and various regional councils dedicated to fostering this initiative. The support from these organizations truly highlights the strength of community collaboration.

Looking Ahead

As we review the updates from the event, it’s clear that Aiken is committed to providing a path toward success for its workforce. If you’re interested in learning more about the WORC grant programs or you want to jump into the exciting world of apprenticeships, don’t hesitate to check out srscro.org for more information.

In conclusion, the future is looking bright for the community as various organizations and institutions continue to invest in their workforce’s future. Stay warm, Aiken, and don’t forget to keep looking out for the sunshine that follows those clouds!