Guilford Apprenticeship Partners: Bridging the Skills GAP One Apprentice at a Time

With approximately 140 active apprentices and more than 30 employer partners, Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) has grown significantly since launching in 2016 with just 14 apprentices and six employer partners.

GAP brings together Guilford County Schools, Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC), and a growing network of local employers across multiple industries. The partnership is youth-focused and employer-driven, offering 40 Registered Apprenticeship occupations, including advanced manufacturing, accounting, automotive, electrical, electrical engineering, information technology, HVAC technician, mechatronics and pharmacy technician. The collaboration addresses local skills gaps while creating a powerful, interconnected ecosystem of employers, educators, students, and community partners.  

Building a Recognized Brand

A driving force behind GAP’s success is its strategic marketing and outreach. The group has made a concerted effort to promote its brand to local students and parents and has recently expanded its focus to engage more local employers.

GAP apprentices, both past and present, play a key role in spreading awareness by telling their success stories. In a recent apprentice spotlight published by GTCC, Michael Bullard, a former HVAC apprentice, shared how his Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) equipped him with the skills he needed to excel. “I felt well-prepared for real-world HVAC work when I left GTCC. The program gave me a strong foundation,” said Bullard.

“While in school, I was also working with Brady [Services], which gave me hands-on experience with commercial equipment. Since most of my training at GTCC was focused on residential equipment, having the opportunity to work with Brady, through an apprenticeship, allowed me to also gain valuable commercial experience. That experience helped build my confidence and made the transition into the field smoother after graduation.” After graduating from GTCC and GAP, Bullard applied for a full-time position at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. He now spends his days keeping performers and theatergoers cool.

Another successful strategy that GAP employs is its boots-on-the-ground networking approach. Employers participate in high school visits, community nights, open houses, and invitationals. GAP has also invested in an updated website, branded materials, promotional videos, and merchandise to amplify its mission. “We want every student in the county to know that [Registered] Apprenticeship is a real option,” said Ann Flynt, Director of GAP. “This isn’t just for a specific occupation or just for skilled trades. There are options… Our motto is: ‘Promising Career. College Degree. Zero Debt.’ We work to get into the schools and speak to students, working our way into the teachers’ minds. We have the best kids. We have so many applicants. Our marketing efforts have really driven us forward.”

Emphasizing Employer Participation

Companies that partner with Guilford Apprenticeship Partners gain access to a powerful and interconnected ecosystem. Partner benefits include initial company onboarding and orientation, program setup and implementation assistance, connections to fellow Registered Apprenticeship sponsors, monthly member meetings, student recruitment marketing and events, and access to an online recruitment portal.

Flynt said employers invested in GAP are energized by its success. “We are a community… Employers are excited to attend meetings, share ideas, and celebrate the progress we’re making.”

GAP’s network includes a diverse range of companies, from Atrium Health to Lincoln Financial Group, ZIEHL-ABEGG, and Brady Services. In a case study on employer partner Lincoln Financial, GAP noted, “Lincoln Financial…found a supportive apprenticeship society within the GAP ecosystem…These partnerships and relationships create a better opportunity for outreach and the chance for each company to attract the best candidates for their organization.”

Encouraging Apprentices to Excel

Spots in GAP’s Registered Apprenticeship cohorts are limited, and the program is very competitive. During its last recruitment period GAP had over 300 applicants for a limited number of positions. Apprenticeship seekers who apply for the program must have a minimum grade point average of 2.8, a good attendance record, and have attended at least one GAP open house and employer tour. If they meet the minimum qualifications, GAP invites them to an invitational during which they meet with employers. The hiring process, which is similar to a sports draft, has the employers determine which companies the apprenticeship seekers are placed with. Students do, however, get to rank the employers by preference and that is taken into consideration during the decision-making process.

GAP Registered Apprenticeships are four-year programs that combine paid, hands-on training under an experienced mentor with tuition-free supplemental education at Guilford Technical Community College. The apprentices are paid via a progressive wage scale, with their wages increasing as they develop new skills and knowledge. Upon program completion, they graduate with an associate degree and a nationally recognized Journeyworker Certificate, certifying occupational mastery. Registered Apprenticeship completers earn an average of $400,000 more than their non-apprentice peers over the course of their careers. They also experience higher retention rates. In short, GAP Registered Apprenticeships lay a strong foundation for lasting career success and long-term financial growth.

Reflecting on Success

In less than a decade, Guilford Apprenticeship Partners has become a trusted force in Guilford County and the surrounding area’s workforce development, and it is beginning to expand into the surrounding counties. The partnership has not only fostered a prosperous ecosystem of employers, educators, students, and community partners, but it has also redefined the area’s perception of Registered Apprenticeship. The program’s growth is a testament both to the partners’ dedication to developing homegrown talent and their commitment to seeing their community thrive. As GAP continues to evolve, it stands as a model for other counties seeking profitable, sustainable workforce solutions. With each new cohort, GAP does more than fill positions—it builds futures, forges connections, and passes the torch of knowledge to the next generation. 

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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 authorized to register apprenticeship programs tailored to meet employers’ needs.

About Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP): Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) is a Public-Private partnership offering an alternative path to attaining a college education for free while also obtaining paid on the job training. 

About Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC): GTCC first opened its doors in 1958, offering those in its community the opportunity for affordable, career-focused education. Today it offers more than 80 programs of study and continues to support success through innovative education, training, and partnerships. The college offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates as well as noncredit courses in professional development, personal enrichment, job training, career development, and basic education. As the third largest of 58 institutions in the North Carolina Community College System, GTCC serves more than 30,000 students annually from six campuses and a Small Business Center.

Photo Credits: Guilford Technical Community College

Program Spotlight written by Margaret Spainhour, Communications Assistant, ApprenticeshipNC