Twenty-Three Commit During Tradesformers "Signing Day"

Tradesformers, a youth apprenticeship program designed to connect talented students with growing industry trades in our area, conducted its annual "Signing Day" event Monday night at Pitt Community College.

Twenty-three new pre-apprentices were welcomed into the program, which provides students an opportunity for fundamental training, skills and expertise that helps the future workforce be well-equipped to grow a successful career.

An industry-led initiative, participants will work closely with the Pitt County Schools and other local partners to address skill needs and gaps. Apprentices gain on-the-job training and related classroom instruction, while earning a base pay rate and learning valuable skills to advance in their field. In addition, they have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials and certifications and/or college degrees.

Tradesformers partners have grown over the past couple of years. The partners include Advance Mechanical,  C.L. Warters Plumbing, Curtis Construction, Jack A. Farrior, Grady White Boats, Greenville Utilities Commission, Manning Masonry, North State Steel, Pitt County Schools Facilities, Piedmont Service Group, Pitt Electric, Revitalife and Winterville Machine Works.

PCS Director of Career & Technical Education Kali Beach and Superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker offered a welcome and opening comments before Advance Mechanical Co-Owner and General Manager Rachel Davis provided attendees with a historical perspective of the Tradesformers program and Ayden-Grifton High School senior Cole Phillips delivered a student testimonial. Pitt County Schools Work Based Learning Coordinator Tonya Miles, who leads and oversees the Tradesformers program, closed the speaking portion of the event with program updates.

The following individuals, all projected as 2025 graduates of PCS high schools, signed commitments during the event:

Nick Fuqua (JHRHS) - Advance Mechanical
Ethan Manning (SCHS) - Advance Mechanical
Luke Corbett (FCHS) - C.L. Warters
Montrell Outlaw (AGHS) - Curtis Construction
Austin Ashley (FCHS) - GUC
Bryce Henderson (NPHS) - GUC
Victor Teel (NPHS) - GUC
Carter Allen (DHCHS) - Jack A. Farrior
Daniel Garcia (DHCHS) - Manning Masonry
DeMarcus McCray (JHRHS) - Manning Masonry
Trevian Whichard (SCHS) - Manning Masonry
Halee Moore (DHCHS) - North State Steel
Kieffer Phillips (DHCHS) - North State Steel
Annabelle Dwyer (FCHS) - PCS Plumbing
Cornelius Coleman (SCHS) - PCS Plumbing
Owen Fisher (SCHS) - PCS Electrical
Tyler Tripp (DHCHS) - Piedmont
Hudson Truell (DHCHS) - Pitt Electric
Owen Hardee (JHRHS) - Pitt Electric
Hunter Salter (SCHS) - Pitt Electric
Bree Songy (JHRHS) - Revitalife
Chris Ocampo-Velis (JHRHS) - Revitalife
Robert Tyson (FCHS) - Winterville Machine Works

The following students successfully completed the pre-apprenticeship program. Seventy-nine percent (*19 of 24) opted to retain employment with their respective companies and will move into full apprenticeship roles following graduation commencement exercises in June.

Ethan Hollowell* (DHCHS) - Advance Mechanical
Connor Ward* (DHCHS) - Advance Mechanical
Kaleb Carey (DHCHS) - C.L. Warters
Alex Allen* (AGHS) - GUC Fleet Management
Braxton White* (DHCHS) - GUC Lineman
Jacob Johnson* (NPHS) - GUC Lineman
Porter Harris* (DHCHS) - GUC Waste Water
Daniel Quiroz-Romero* (NPHS) - Jack A. Farrior
Phillip Murray (JHRHS) - Manning Masonry
Zach Ferrell (SCHS) - Manning Masonry
Cole Phillips* (AGHS) - North State Steel
Levi Camp* (DHCHS) - North State Steel
David Warren* (DHCHS) - North State Steel
Jantzen Hardee* (DHCHS) - Piedmont Service Group
Austin Kirkland* (DHCHS) - Piedmont Service Group
David Rosario* (SCHS) - Piedmont Service Group
Francis Kennedy* (JHRHS) - PCS Electrical
Jada Hardee (JHRHS) - PCS Carpentry
Jordan Best* (DHCHS) - PCS HVAC
Joseph Chambers* (DHCHS) - PCS Low Voltage
Gunner Basile (DHCHS) - Pitt Electric
Noah Majette* (DHCHS) - Pitt Electric
Garrett Bailey* (NPHS) - Revitalife
Ben Elbert* (SCHS) - Revitalife