Northeast State and our Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing welcomed the newest apprentice into the carpentry pathway this spring.
One day before graduating from Tennessee High School this spring, Miles Bolden signed a four-year apprenticeship with J.A. Street & Associates through RCAM’s Group Registered Apprenticeship Program. Bolden joins Robbie Emelio as the second Tennessee High School student this year to join the RCAM apprenticeship program in the carpentry occupational pathway.
“I learned about the pre-apprenticeship program at school through (instructor) Brad,” said Bolden. “It seemed like a great opportunity for what I wanted to do.”
Tennessee High School and J. A. Street & Associates signed a partnership agreement on March 2021 for the first State Certified Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Tennessee. The construction Pre-Apprenticeship agreement ensures students who meet the requirements of the course standards, complete the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core program and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 Construction Industry Certification.
Bolden and Emelio completed the state pre-apprenticeship program at THS with instructor Brad Goodman. He enrolled in carpentry and electrical classes at Tennessee High School. Bolden said those classes tackled carpentry projects big and small, from coasters to barstools and chairs.
The pre-apprenticeship program developed via a collaborative effort of Apprenticeship Tennessee, Goodman, our Local Workforce Development proponent April Eads from Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, and Bristol Tennessee City Schools director of Career & Technical Education (CTE), Deidre Pendley.
Northeast State and RCAM worked with the U.S. Department of Labor to establish the Group Registered Apprenticeship Program. This initiative enables RCAM to partner with employers to provide advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeships to Build the 21st-Century Workforce. As the apprenticeship sponsor, RCAM provides the structure and processes for employers to take advantage of this proven workforce development model.
The pre-apprenticeship agreement ensures students who meet the requirements of the course standards. The pre-apprenticeship at Tennessee High provides a seamless pathway for students to enter into an apprenticeship long-term employment.
“While I’m pursuing pre-engineering I want to complete the carpentry apprenticeship and electrical technology degree to see which one I enjoy the most,” said Bolden. “I hope to eventually to open my own business.”
The Registered Apprenticeship Program gives employers an opportunity to develop and train their future workforce with the skills specific to their needs. Occupational specialties available through the RCAM registered apprenticeship program include: Mechatronics Technician; Industrial Manufacturing Technician; CNC Machinist; Carpentry; and Metal Buildings.
Bolden also wants to pursue pre-engineering and electrical technology pathways. He ultimately plans to pursue electrical engineering at a four-year institution. His advice to other students is straightforward – take advantage of the opportunity when it comes your way.
“Start preparing when you are young,” said Bolden. “Get the most out of it while you can and listen to your peers.”
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