The Edgecombe Community College Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which consists of 96 hours of curriculum instruction and 80 hours of on-the-job training, concluded its summer program on Friday, July 25, 2025. The pre-apprenticeship program, held on ECC’s Tarboro campus, focused on preparing students for the clean energy job sector. During the curriculum portion of the program, students earned multiple industry-recognized certifications including OSHA-10, Lean Six Sigma – Yellow Belt, and Working Smart.
This year, the summer preapprenticeship program included six 2025 high school graduates from Edgecombe County Public Schools. Four of the students completed their on-the-job training hours with Astemo of Tarboro, NC. These students will complete an additional 10 weeks of training through Astemo’s SMT training program, with the potential of being offered full-time employment. Two students completed their on-the-job training hours with the Town of Tarboro in the Tarboro Electric Utilities department and will pursue their educational goals at Edgecombe Community College in the fall.
The pre-apprenticeship program at ECC is currently in its third year and continues to thrive. According to Paige Ashman, the Student Support Specialist at ECC, “I can say with confidence, this program has been extremely beneficial to the participants, as well as the community. Many of our students remain local after graduation and the pre-apprenticeship program not only provides them with the necessary skills and hands-on training needed to be successful in the workforce, it also educates them about the many career opportunities that are available to them in Edgecombe county.”
Thanks to the support of Edgecombe County, Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners, Astemo, and the Town of Tarboro, participants were able to receive the training, class supplies, and meals at no cost to them. Participants also received a stipend for the curriculum portion, as well as hourly pay for their on-the-job training hours.
Partners include Edgecombe Community College (ECC), Edgecombe County, Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners, Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS), NC A&T State University, STEPS4GROWTH (S4G), Astemo, Town of Tarboro, and Tarboro Electric Utilities. For more information about Edgecombe Community College’s pre-apprenticeship program or other summer workforce development programs, contact Paige Ashman at 252-618-6614 or ashmanp@edgecombe.edu.
