Introducing the Summer Careers Academy

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Oct. 21, 2021 - PRLog -- A diverse coalition of educators, employers, governmental officials, and experts are pleased to introduce the Summer Careers Academy (https://thechamber.growthzoneapp.com/ap/r/3185efbe6f9140fa9bf2e7cef3fb4270). Launching Summer 2022, this new trades' training program will connect Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange County youth with skills, employers, and a compelling career pathway. The program will focus on serving the needs of youth from refugee and migrant families as well as low income students and students of color.

"The construction industry offers exceptional career opportunities," said Holly Fraccaro, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties. "This new Summer Careers Academy will connect local youth with new skills and a paid summer work experience while also building the talent pipeline our industry needs."

Summer Careers Academy

The inaugural Summer Careers Academy is designed to be an eight week summer pre-apprenticeship program (i.e., Registered Youth Apprenticeship (https://thechamber.growthzoneapp.com/ap/r/f45a79f299e3497...)) that will offer at least ten local high school students free in-classroom training and paid work experience in the skilled trades. The training, assessment, certification, and career development standards will be based on the respected and widely-adopted National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core construction curriculum, which prepares students for careers in the construction trades, including occupations in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, and HVAC-R repair.

Students who successfully complete the program will earn Construction Core high school credit (https://thechamber.growthzoneapp.com/ap/r/263161a94216489...) and a NCCER Certificate (https://thechamber.growthzoneapp.com/ap/r/d722b9da3521431a9b610aaba917f310), and an U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Fundamentals for Construction Certificate (OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Certification (https://thechamber.growthzoneapp.com/ap/r/ffd2cbf73e564a9cbc21df0737f033e4)), both of which are industry-recognized credentials. In addition, students will earn college scholarships and prior learning credit towards the college-level skilled trades apprenticeship program at Durham Technical Community College and/or other community colleges in the region. Further, students will be prepared for immediate full-time employment as well as eligible for entry into a Registered Apprenticeship (https://thechamber.growthzoneapp.com/ap/r/9d813add8775418990fd0d4a3cb36b08), which allows students to continue to earn and learn as they progress in their chosen career.

Contact: For questions, contact Katie Loovis, Vice President of External Affairs, The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, at (919) 696-0781 (cell) or KLoovis@carolinachamber.org.