By Lisa Oliver, Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Halifax Community College

WELDON, N.C. – Halifax Community College, in tandem with state agency partners, is leading specialized training efforts to benefit local manufacturing workers.

HCC’s Regional Advanced Manufacturing Pipeline for Eastern North Carolina (RAMP East) curriculum, a registered program through ApprenticeshipNC, provided nine WestRock employees 96 hours of pre-apprenticeship instruction that will transition directly into its mechanical maintenance technician apprenticeship program.

RAMP East pre-apprentices receive certifications in career readiness, working smart, OSHA-10 and Lean Six-Sigma – Yellow Belt as well as introduction to manufacturing, problem solving and math for measurements courses.

“Through collaboration, HCC and ApprenticeshipNC are offering a viable option to secure workers to fill existing vacancies,” said Rhonda High, HCC’s customized training director. “Funding is available through this program that helps cover tuition, industry reimbursement and advertising to build a skilled workforce in the Roanoke Valley and across the state.”

Classes are held at the Advanced Manufacturing and Corporate Training Center, HCC’s newest campus facility that houses its Customized Training program, its Small Business Center as well as its industrial systems technology, welding technology and automotive technology programs.