Congratulations to the Graduates of the Inaugural Summer Careers Academy
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SUMMER CAREERS ACADEMY CLASS OF 2022
100% successfully completed the eight-week skilled trades career training program and 80% earned the NC Registered Youth Apprenticeship Certificate!
Photo of the Summer Careers Academy Class of 2022 (the inaugural cohort of the “Building Our Future” skilled trades career training program) during the Graduation Celebration on August 5, 2022 at Cedar Ridge High School in Orange County, NC.
August 31, 2022: The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties Foundation and the entire Summer Careers Academy Steering Committee congratulate the Summer Careers Academy Class of 2022. 100% of the Pre-Apprentices in the inaugural cohort successfully completed the new eight-week career training program in the skilled trades, called “Building Our Future,” and 80% earned the NC Registered Youth Apprenticeship Certificate.
"It is such a pleasure to be able to congratulate all 15 Pre-Apprentices for successfully completing the inaugural Summer Careers Academy 'Building Our Future' skilled trades career training program," said Holly Fraccaro, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties (HBA DOC); Executive Director of the HBA DOC Foundation; Summer Careers Academy Steering Committee Member; and Managing Director of Building Our Future. "Each graduate is now prepared for a high paying career in the skilled trades with zero college debt."
The Pre-Apprentices
Forty applicants completed the Student Interest Form and 15 officially started the program as Pre-Apprentices. The cohort was extremely diverse with four who identified as Hispanic, Latino/a/x, or Spanish origin; four as Asian; three as Black or African American; two as White; and two who identified as other. Of the 15 Pre-Apprentices, seven had graduated from high school and eight were still in high school. A majority (80%) of the cohort reported through the pre-survey that they were not experienced in the skilled trades and fewer than half had ever taken a class in the skilled trades; worked or volunteered in the skilled trades; or had a parent, guardian, or mentor in the skilled trades.
Headshots of each member of the Summer Careers Academy Class of 2022 taken by Trevor Holman Photography.
Pre-Apprentice Outcomes: Despite a majority (80%) of the Pre-Apprentices reporting a lack experience in or exposure to the skilled trades prior to starting the program, 100% of the Pre-Apprentices completed the program and 80% (12 of 15) earned the NC Registered Youth Apprenticeship Certificate. Also, by the end of the program, a majority (87%, 13 of 15) of Pre-Apprentices reported they are strongly interested (6) or interested (7) in a career in the skilled trades. Moreover, five of the fifteen graduates received offers from their employers and four accepted (Bryant-Durham Electric, Brown Brothers Plumbing and Heating, The Lundy Management Group, and Green Horizon One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning). The other graduates chose to continue their studies in high school (Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools) or college (Durham Tech, Wake Tech, and Alamance Community College, and Emory University).
The Employers
Thirty employers submitted the Employer Interest Form and 11 proceeded through the registration process, were matched with a Pre-Apprentice, and provided an on-the-job paid work experience. The inaugural cohort of employers included BOLD Construction, Brown Brothers Plumbing and Heating, Bryant-Durham Electric, BuildSense, CARROLL, Green Horizon One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Marcoplos Construction, Orange County Government, Piedmont Electric Cooperative, The Lundy Management Group, and the Town of Chapel Hill. These employers were diverse in size and sector with small, mid-size, and large enterprises from the public and private sectors. Of the employers who responded to the pre-survey (7), all agreed that they have a skilled trades talent pipeline challenge and are actively working to improve it.
Employer Outcomes: Of the employers who responded to the pre-survey (7), all agreed that they have a skilled trades talent pipeline challenge and are actively working to improve it. While all agreed that their organizations were well-equipped to provide a meaningful and positive summer work experience for their Pre-Apprentice, the percentage of those who strongly agreed increased from 57% at the start of the program to 75% by the end. Ultimately, five employers made job offers to their Pre-Apprentice and four of those offers were accepted. Of the employers who responded to the post-survey (8), 88% (7) indicated that they are extremely likely (10 out of 10) to renew participation in the Summer Careers Academy the next year.
The Graduation Celebration
Video from the Summer Careers Academy (SCA) Graduation Celebration in honor of the inaugural cohort of the "Building Our Future" skilled trades career training program on Friday, August 5, 2022 at Cedar Ridge High School in Orange County, NC.
The Summer Careers Academy hosted the Graduation Celebration in honor of the inaugural cohort of the "Building Our Future" skilled trades career training program. The event took place on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 3:30pm-5:00pm at Cedar Ridge High School in Orange County, NC. Guests included the Summer Careers Academy Class of 2022 and parents/caregivers and employers as well as Summer Careers Academy Steering Committee members, funders, partners, and friends. The event was emceed by Summer Careers Academy Steering Committee member Katie Loovis with remarks from Instructor Avery Pipkin, Chapel Hill Town Council member Tai Huynh and HBA DOC Board Chair Lee Bowman. A highlight of the event was when each graduate shared their reflections on and gratitude for the program. Events photographs were taken by Trevor Holman Photography and video production was coordinated by LeRoi Brashears.
The Summer Careers Academy
The Summer Careers Academy (SCA) is an innovative, eight-week career training model that connects residents, especially young adults (ages 16-24) who are underrepresented and underserved, with new skills and paid work experiences in compelling career pathways. The model is based on the successful employer-led Catawba Valley Community College Construction Careers Academy, which blends free in-classroom training and paid on-the-job work experience.
What is unique about the SCA is the commitment to equity. The SCA is open to all (no experience required) and is specifically designed to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged in our community, including refugees, low-income students, and students of color. The program provides critical support services for participants to overcome any and all barriers to success. Participants receive a competitive salary ($12/hour, “Learning Wage”), complimentary equipment and attire, and holistic support along the way (food, transportation, language, and career services). Participants who successfully complete the program are college and career-ready and receive a completion bonus taking their salary to the “Living Wage.”
The SCA is governed by a Steering Committee that operates according to the principles of Collective Impact and is made up of educators, employers, elected and senior government officials, and community activists. Active Steering Committee members include Kathi Breweur of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Shannon Braxton of Orange County Schools, Maryah Smith-Overman of Durham Technical Community College, Holly Fraccaro of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties Foundation, Katie Loovis of The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Tai Huynh of Acta Solutions and the Chapel Hill Town Council, Deon Temne of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, Tony McKnight of ApprenticeshipNC, and James (Jim) Porto, Ph.D., who is the former Mayor of Carrboro and UNC-Chapel Hill adjunct faculty member.
“Building Our Future”
The inaugural program of the SCA is focused on the skilled trades and is called “Building Our Future” (BOF). This is a new “Registered Youth Apprenticeship Program” and the students, called “Pre-Apprentices,” receive free in-classroom learning and paid on-the-job work experience as well as complimentary equipment and critical support services (food, transportation, language, and career services). Pre-Apprentices who successfully complete the program earn academic credit, industry-recognized certificates (NCCER, OSHA-10, and CPR/First Aid), and are prepared for full time employment in construction occupations (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, and HVAC-R repair) or are college-ready and can continue to “earn and learn” through a “Registered Apprenticeship Program” (RAP). The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties Foundation serves as the managing director of BOF and works collaboratively with the SCA Steering Committee.
The Summer Careers Academy Class of 2022 in the Woodworking Lab at Cedar Ridge High School in Orange County, NC.
Media Contact: For questions, contact Katie Loovis, The Chamber, (919) 696-0781 (m).