When he was younger, Herson Garcia “used to mess around with cheap radios.”

“I was better at destroying them than I was at putting them back together,” Garcia said. But it sparked in him a desire to learn how things work.

Garcia entered Forsyth Technical Community College’s pre-apprenticeship Production Technician Program, which led to a position with Hayward Industries. The Clemmons, N.C.-based company makes swimming pool equipment and thermoplastic flow control products.

Because of his success, Garcia was chosen as ApprenticeshipNC’s 2020 Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprentice.

“Herson Garcia, in our class, was like the Energizer Bunny – very engaged, very active, constantly going, constantly learning,” said Lisa Hawk, director of NCWorks Customized Training at Forsyth Tech. “You could see his wheels just never turn off.”

“I think Herson can go as far as he wants to go in life,” Hawk said. “His future’s absolutely bright. The company that he is employed with is so excited to have him on their payroll.”

Said Garcia: “The pre-apprenticeship program has given me a lot of information that goes alongside of what I’m currently learning right now. … I have a lot more to learn, but I’m looking forward to it.”