2026 ApprenticeshipNC Awards Recognize Registered Apprenticeship Excellence in North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina—May 1, 2026—ApprenticeshipNC is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 ApprenticeshipNC Awards. Since their inception, the ApprenticeshipNC Awards have honored individuals and organizations that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in North Carolina’s Registered Apprenticeship ecosystem. Recipients were selected through a competitive nomination and review process, evaluating performance, leadership, innovation, program quality, and overall impact.

As the gold standard of work-based learning, Registered Apprenticeship is vital to workforce development across the state, and it is a key reason CNBC has ranked North Carolina the #1 State for Business in the U.S. in three of the last four years. These awards highlight the critical role that Registered Apprenticeship Programs play in building a skilled workforce while creating meaningful career pathways for North Carolinians. “Each of this year’s winners exemplifies the strength of Registered Apprenticeship in North Carolina,” said Dr. Chris Harrington, Director, ApprenticeshipNC. “Their work not only advances their industries but also helps ensure the state’s continued success and economic growth.”

Award recipients include:

Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprentice: Conner Piotrowski of Wake County Public School System and L.L. Vann Electric

When Conner Piotrowski joined L.L. Vann Electric as the company’s first Electrician Registered Pre-Apprentice, he quickly distinguished himself through his eagerness to learn, professionalism, and reliability. He was highly recommended for the role by his high school instructors at Rolesville High School and by leaders within the Wake County Public School System, standing out early for his initiative. He asked thoughtful questions and actively pursued the opportunity before even stepping into the role. Since beginning his afternoon warehouse shifts in August 2025, he has demonstrated a strong desire to learn the electrical trade, from materials and inventory to the processes that prepare him for future work on active jobsites. According to his nominators, Donna Goff, Vice President of Human Resources/Executive Assistant, L.L. Vann Electric, and Richard Warren, Warehouse Manager, L.L. Vann Electric, Conner “arrives early… works hard, and continuously pushes himself to be his best,” consistently following through on tasks with little need for oversight.

As L.L. Vann Electric’s program has expanded, Conner has emerged as a natural leader. He mentors new pre-apprentices, sets a positive example through his professionalism and use of proper PPE, and contributes ideas that have improved warehouse efficiency—one of which proved more effective than previous systems. Known for his thoughtful approach and strong work ethic, Conner has earned the trust and respect of his team through action. He tackles the demands of the electrical industry with maturity, understanding that success requires continuous learning and dedication. His contributions have supported daily operations while also playing a meaningful role in the growth and success of L.L. Vann Electric’s Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Employer: Altec

Through its partnership with Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET, Surry Community College, and participating school districts, Altec has built a highly integrated Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program that redefines the high school-to-career pathway. FLEET is the first school-based program in North Carolina to operate inside a manufacturing company. Thanks to Altec’s initiative, pre-apprentices earn a high school diploma, college credit through Surry Community College, and industry-recognized credentials while building employability and soft skills. Altec’s program is designed to engage students who may benefit from an alternative learning environment and strengthen their connection between education and long-term career pathways.

What distinguishes the company’s model is its fully embedded structure, where students spend their school day at the facility and are supported directly by Altec as both educator and employer. Participants receive classroom instruction in a dedicated on-site learning space and complete hands-on training in active production areas, meaning they contribute to real manufacturing work while earning compensation for more than 200 hours of on-the-job learning. This immersive approach allows academic instruction and technical training to operate side by side, creating a seamless pipeline into advanced manufacturing careers and Registered Apprenticeships through real-world experience, industry credentials, and direct workforce integration.

“Altec is honored to have been selected as the ApprenticeshipNC Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Employer for 2026,” said Daniel Haymore PE, Talent Sourcing Program Manager, Altec. “We’re committed to investing in the next generation and providing opportunities for students in our communities to develop their professional skills. Through our partnership with Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET program, we have hosted almost 100 pre-apprentices to date, currently employing over 40. The FLEET and traditional pre-apprenticeship program are slated to host over 50 students combined for the 2026–2027 school year. We are so thankful for the privilege of being a part of the Mt. Airy community, and we look forward to connecting many more students to real-world manufacturing experience in the years to come.”

Outstanding Registered Apprentice: Michael “Isaac” Mayberry of Mitchell Community College and Doosan Bobcat

Since joining Doosan Bobcat in 2023, Michael “Isaac” Mayberry has proven himself to be an indispensable Mechatronics Engineering Technologist Registered Apprentice. From his first day, Isaac immersed himself in learning throughout the facility—building construction equipment, understanding control processes, and recognizing the importance of clear, well-written work instructions. As his experience grew, he transitioned into the sheet metal fabrication manufacturing engineering group, where his interest in design and systems flourished. Drawing on his coursework at Mitchell Community College, he has applied skills such as 3D CAD modeling, additive manufacturing, machining, and value stream mapping to design solutions that improve safety, quality, and efficiency in daily operations.

Known for his problem-solving mindset, Isaac has earned the respect of colleagues at every level through his initiative in mastering highly complex systems, including supporting the implementation of new MES and ERP platforms across the Doosan Bobcat facility. He regularly works across all three shifts to resolve issues and train operators. Willing to go above and beyond, including working extended hours and weekends, Isaac demonstrates a level of management and drive well beyond his experience level. His nominator, Mark Willett, Strategic Operations Manager at Doosan Bobcat, noted that his “performance has elevated the output of his entire team, fostering a collaborative and highly effective working environment.” Isaac’s dedication and leadership set him apart as an emerging leader in his company and field.

Outstanding Registered Apprenticeship Employer: Code the Dream

Code the Dream is a Durham-based 501c3 non-profit that helps individuals from economically marginalized and rural communities build careers in software development. Through its Registered Apprenticeship Program, participants complete a year of foundational online training before moving through one of two Registered Apprenticeship pathways:

• Path A prepares apprentices for tech jobs with a range of employers after program completion, with about 10% staying on with Code the Dream. Most Path A graduates have secured full-time tech roles within six months at starting salaries averaging over $80,000.
• Path B provides employer-specific training that leads directly to jobs with partners such as SAS, Cisco, and Lenovo. Since 2023, nearly all Path B apprentices have been hired directly by their partner employer.

Apprentices also contribute to tools that directly serve communities across North Carolina, including platforms that help residents access critical public benefits. Although women remain underrepresented in tech, they make up the majority of the nonprofit’s apprentices. Code the Dream’s Registered Apprenticeship is building a strong talent pipeline while expanding access and opportunity. As one early graduate put it: “Because of Code the Dream, I now have a career. I have a bright future. And I have a means to provide for my family.”

“We embraced Registered Apprenticeship because it combines training, mentorship and paid experience in one powerful model,” said Dan Rearick, Co-Executive Director, Code the Dream. “For our apprentices, it creates a bridge into careers that might otherwise remain out of reach.”

Outstanding Group Program: Early Years’ Durham Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program

The Durham Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program, a Group Program sponsored by Early Years as an initiative of Durham PreK, has built a fast-growing model that is strengthening the early childhood education workforce across North Carolina. Since launching in 2023, the program has enrolled 85+ apprentices across three levels of Registered Apprenticeship programming that support individuals through degree attainment. The program continues to demonstrate strong outcomes, with course completion rates above 85% and five apprentices graduating with associate degrees in May 2026.

The Durham Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program begins with a Registered Pre-Apprenticeship, where participants earn the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential, complete three professional certificates, and gain hands-on experience through job shadowing and career development. Once employed, apprentices advance into a one-year Certificate Apprenticeship with coursework at Durham Technical Community College. Ultimately, they work toward a two-year Associate Degree Apprenticeship.

The program also stands out for its commitment to access and inclusion, with 40% of apprentices identifying as bilingual or multilingual. Early Years provides coursework and support in both English and Spanish to remove language barriers and expand opportunity. Supported by strong partnerships with employers, educators, and community organizations, the program creates clear pathways for career advancement. As one apprentice shared, “The apprenticeship program has been a great support to me, and if it wasn’t for them fighting for me, making things happen, I probably wouldn’t be graduating this year… for helping us be the best educators we can be.”

For more information about the ApprenticeshipNC Awards or to learn how to get involved in North Carolina’s Registered Apprenticeship ecosystem, visit www.apprenticeshipnc.com

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About ApprenticeshipNC: Recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, ApprenticeshipNC (ANC) is the State Apprenticeship Agency housed within the North Carolina Community College System. The ApprenticeshipNC Team works directly with employers, educational institutions, and community partners across all 100 counties to design and implement Registered Apprenticeship and Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Programs.

Media Contacts:

• Amy Davis-Moore, Communications Director: davis-moorea@nccommunitycolleges.edu
• Margaret Spainhour, Communications Assistant: spainhourm@nccommunitycolleges.edu