Leading by Example: Stanly Community College Leverages Registered Apprenticeship to Strengthen Its Small Business Center

Turning a Staffing Challenge into an Opportunity

In the spring of 2025, Stanly Community College (SCC)’s Small Business Center (SBC) encountered a familiar staffing challenge. With Cassidy Ball’s promotion to SBC Director, the administrative assistant position she previously held was left vacant. Filling the position and retaining talent in the entry-level role was historically difficult. While attending the 2025 ApprenticeshipNC Conference, SCC leadership saw an opportunity to approach the problem differently—by filling the position through a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

A Statewide Approach to Building Talent Pipelines

SCC’s innovative approach reflects a broader statewide strategy led by the North Carolina Community College System’s Economic Development Division (NCCCS EDD). As a cornerstone of workforce and economic development, the NCCCS EDD supports key initiatives such as NC Edge, NC BioNetwork, and the Small Business Center Network. ApprenticeshipNC, the State Apprenticeship Agency, joined the NCCCS EDD in 2017, continuing its work with employers, educators, and community partners to register and expand Apprenticeship Programs. ApprenticeshipNC supports a statewide ecosystem that empowers colleges like SCC to implement innovative methods that not only meet local and institutional needs but also serve as models for workforce development across North Carolina. 

SCC has quickly emerged as a champion for Registered Apprenticeship in North Carolina. The college partners with seven employers and offers nine apprenticeable pathways. Registered Apprenticeship, which is an industry-driven, high-quality training approach that combines paid on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction, allows SCC to build talent pipelines that feed directly from the classroom into the workforce. Upon successful program completion, Registered Apprentices receive a portable, nationally recognized credential certifying occupational mastery.

Launching a Career Through Registered Apprenticeship

Lindi Deese, the apprentice selected to fill the administrative assistant role, credits the program with providing her both educational and professional momentum, saying, “I’ve had the chance to continue my education while having a professional role. I graduated high school a year early, and this program has allowed me to move my career forward. It [Registered Apprenticeship] also makes my education affordable because college, in general, is expensive, but the program means I’m working while doing my classes and my tuition is covered.”

Deese is not the first in her family to choose Registered Apprenticeship as a path to the workforce. Her brother, Matthew (Dawson) Deese, is a Registered Apprentice for Juneberry Ridge, where he works as a build maintenance repairer. Having seen the positive experience her brother had with Registered Apprenticeship, Deese jumped at the chance to join SCC’s team through the same path. “An Apprenticeship opens doors to real-world work, to a career, to financial support. I always tell my friends, who are all high school seniors now, that if they are thinking of one, they should go for it. It’s helped me figure out what I want to do, and it’s just an amazing opportunity.”

Practicing What They Preach

Candice Lowder, Associate Vice President (AVP) of Career Connections, Stanly Community College, notes SCC’s internal use of Registered Apprenticeship allows the college to demonstrate the practical value of a model it champions across its service area, “As an administrator, I fully supported registering our own program. It was a great opportunity to create a catalyst to get more employers on board and show them how committed we are to [Registered] Apprenticeship.” 

Developing Real-World Skills Through On-the-Job Learning

The program requires Deese to complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning. Deese works 29 hours a week while attending classes that will count toward her Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration. Through her work, Deese has developed public speaking skills, gained knowledge of social media marketing, and acquired experience with contracting, invoicing, and client communications. Looking forward, she hopes her experience will lead her to a marketing career with a larger corporation. “I enjoy the marketing side of my job so, so much. I’ve always dreamed of working for a larger company. That’s always been my dream, and now I’m pursuing it!”

Expanding Apprenticeship Opportunities on Campus

With the success of the Small Business Center’s Registered Apprenticeship, Stanly Community College plans to expand its use of the workforce development model. According to Lowder, the college is currently in talks to register an occupational pathway through its IT Department. “We already have work-study students moving through our IT Department. Adding an Apprenticeship would benefit our students, the college, and the community.”

Strengthening Regional Workforce Partnerships

SCC’s Registered Apprenticeship efforts are deeply connected to a thriving local workforce ecosystem. From partnerships with area high schools and regional workforce development boards to collaboration with ApprenticeshipNC and local employers, the college is part of a coordinated effort to prepare the next generation of skilled professionals. By choosing to adopt Registered Apprenticeship internally, SCC demonstrates what’s possible when education, industry, and workforce systems work in unison. This ecosystem doesn’t just support employers —it empowers individuals. Lindi Deese’s success in the Small Business Center is a clear example of how these partnerships translate into real opportunities. Her journey is more than a personal milestone; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration in building talent pipelines that serve both students and Stanly County’s economic growth.

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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 Stanly Community College: Stanly Community College (SCC) is an accredited two-year public institution located just outside of Charlotte, NC, offering a variety seated and online college degrees. Stanly Community College has been meeting the needs of its region’s workforce for 50+ years. Its Curriculum Division leads the way with more than 27 programs of study in health, business, engineering, computers, public service and college transfer. The Continuing Education Division serves its community in the areas of basic skills, adult high school, professional and business/industry certifications, health care, computer training, protective services, and much more! SCC serves approximately 10,000 curriculum, continuing education, and basic skills students annually.

About Stanly Community College’s Small Business Center (SBC): Stanly Community College’s SBC is dedicated to supporting the development of new businesses and fostering the growth of existing ones. As a proud member of the NC Community College System Small Business Center Network (SBCN), its services are offered at low or no cost to the local community and include counseling, resources and referrals, and training events.

Program Spotlight written by Margaret Spainhour, Communications Assistant, ApprenticeshipNC