Davidson and Davie Apprenticeship Consortium welcomes 11 new apprentices in official signing ceremony

LEXINGTON, N.C. (September 30, 2025) – The Davidson and Davie Apprenticeship Consortium (DDAC) welcomed 11 new apprentices recently in the organization’s annual signing ceremony.

The 11 apprentices spent the summer in a pre-apprenticeship program, but with the signing they begin their four years of on-the-job training with a DDAC member company along with classes at Davidson-Davie Community College.

“Every one of these apprentices worked hard this summer in their pre-apprentice work and showed they had the ability to advance to an apprenticeship,” said Dylan Wilmoth, head of the DDAC board. “Their hard work and commitment to their futures is a sure sign they will be a huge benefit to their companies and to the community.”

Jonathan Brown, vice president of Davidson-Davie Community College, Scott Morris, an apprentice graduate, and Chris Harrington, state director of Apprenticeship NC, were the guest speakers at the event, held at the Mary E. Rittling Center on the campus of Davidson-Davie Community College.

DDAC is an alliance of manufacturing companies in Davidson and Davie counties, including BMK Americas, CPM Wolverine Proctor, EGGER Wood Products, KURZ Transfer Products, Mohawk, Ingersoll Rand, Owens & Minor, Cascade Die Casting Group, SBA Home, and Siemens Mobility with a goal of providing bright futures for tomorrow’s talents.

This year’s group of DDAC apprentices include (with company): Joshua Bowman, EGGER Wood Products, Klaire Heller, EGGER Wood Products, Bruno Napolitano, EGGER Wood Products, Korbin Russell, EGGER Wood Products, Cole Price, EGGER Wood Products, Justin Strickland, EGGER Wood Products, Iziah King, KURZ Transfer Products, Matthew Pettit, Mohawk, Gaige Blackburn, SBA Home, and Logan Walterman, SBA Home.

The DDAC apprenticeship program is a paid, four-year program in mechanical or electrical trades, or a two-year production operator track, with a full scholarship to cover tuition, books, and other college fees. Apprentices receive competitive pay and full benefits during their training and become eligible for full-time employment upon graduation.

About Davidson and Davie Apprenticeship Consortium: Formed in 2019, Davidson and Davie Apprenticeship Consortium (DDAC) comprises manufacturing companies in Davidson and Davie counties, including BMK, Wolverine Proctor, EGGER Wood Products, KURZ, Mohawk, Ingersoll Rand, Owens & Minor, Cascade Die Casting Group, SBA Home, and Siemens Mobility with a goal of providing bright futures for tomorrow’s talents. The DDAC apprenticeship program provides a paid, four-year curriculum in mechanical or electrical trades, or a two-year production operator track with college costs paid. Apprentices receive competitive pay during their apprenticeship, along with a full benefits package and eligibility for full-time employment upon graduation. For more information, visit ddacapprentice.org.

About ApprenticeshipNC: Recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, ApprenticeshipNC is the State Apprenticeship Agency housed under the North Carolina Community College System authorized to register apprenticeship programs tailored to meet employers’ needs.

 

This press release is credited in full to Davidson and Davie Apprenticeship Consortium.