Watson Electrical Winston-Salem Division
Productive New Program for Youth Apprenticeship

Winston-Salem Forsyth County Career Technology Center partnered this summer with Watson Electrical Winston-Salem Division in a unique, innovative effort to maximize production and training with Youth Apprenticeship.  Randy Jones, NCCER Electrical Instructor for the High School Technology Center, approached Mike Watkins, Hiring & Training Administrator for Watson Electrical, with a proposition to enhance his Electrical Training Program by employing himself and several of his students over their summer break.  Mike and Division Manager, David Garner, visited Randy’s class and spoke with Randy and his students to work out the details and get a first-hand look at his students.  Randy and two of his students, Cory Bogart and Cody Parrish, who had just finished their Junior Year of High School, were hired in June.  Reports from Supervisors and Foremen have been nothing but praise for the Youth Apprenticeship Team!  Working primarily at the North Carolina School of Arts Dormitory Renovation Project under the supervision of Billy Cavanaugh (Top Picture L/R ), Cory and Cody have had the opportunity to use their skills acquired in the classroom, as well as develop new ones, and performed above normal production levels in a safe and professional manner.  Comments such as, ‘…it’s rare to find young 17 year olds to work as hard and be as professional as these two…’ are common comments from supervisors and managers at the division.  The great success of this innovative program goes back to the quality education and commitment of the High School Instructor and Career and Technology Administrators in aligning the school’s programs with industry need.  Watson Electrical’s Award Winning Registered Apprenticeship Program is based on the National Center for Construction Education and Research’s (NCCER) national and industry standardized curricula.  The NCCER curricula have been adopted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) for its Career and Technology Programs.  In July 2008 NCDPI was approved as an NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor as a state-wide effort in aligning secondary education and training with industry needs.  Randy and the Winston-Salem Division have aided tremendously in the state-wide effort, according to Tim Eldridge, NCDPI Education Consultant.  This overwhelming success exemplifies the outcome of concerted efforts of secondary schools and industry when partnering together for common goals.  Watson Electrical looks forward to Cody and Cory returning to work during their senior year and also selecting Watson Electrical as their choice for a career!  Opportunities abound at Watson Electrical for them to further their education and training and become vital contributors to the construction industry in North Carolina.

Student-employees have the opportunity to work as they were taught in school to achieve quality production, safely, and hone their skills for unlimited futures in the electrical industry. Thanks so much to the students seeking careers at Watson Electrical, their instructors, administrators and families that support them! 

(L/ R) Cory Bogart, Cody Parrish
(L/R) Billy Cavanaugh , Cory Bogart, Cody Parrish and Randy Jones