NC Gov. Josh Stein visits Davidson-Davie in recognition of National Apprenticeship Week

{Governor Stein walks alongside President Varner and Davidson-Davie student ambassadors.} North Carolina Governor Josh Stein marked National Apprenticeship Week with a visit to Davidson-Davie Community College on Wednesday, where he had the opportunity to tour facilities and celebrate the success of the college’s healthcare apprenticeship program and its students. Photo Credit: Davidson Davidson-Davie Community College}

Stein, who spoke during the visit, highlighted the importance of apprenticeships and the value these programs provide to local communities. “We want nothing but opportunity for these young folks. We are all benefiting,” Stein said. “People are getting the healthcare they need to stay alive and well, and that makes it an attractive place for companies to come. It’s all about creating a community where everyone has a chance to thrive and that’s exactly what Davidson-Davie Community College is doing.”

Governor Stein walks alongside President Varner and Davidson-Davie student ambassadors

Jenny Varner, president of Davidson-Davie, noted how beneficial it was to have Governor Stein visit campus. “This allowed him to see first-hand the amazing partnerships we have that allow our exceptional students to learn both on campus with us and on the job with our employer partners.”

Stein remarked on the passion and positivity happening at the college, and the week of recognizing apprenticeships is an opportunity to double down on the commitment to students and their success.

Specifically, Davidson-Davie serves as a prime example of that commitment, boosting the healthcare workforce little by little. The college launched the state’s first Registered Nursing (RN) program in 2020, partnering with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Since that time, the innovative “earn while you learn” model has grown – and has now expanded beyond registered nursing. The program boasts 35 graduates and continues to add more cohorts. In 2025, Davidson-Davie added pre-apprenticeship opportunities, partnering with Davie County Schools.

“North Carolina is about to face the greatest shortage of nursing because the state is growing so fast,” Stein added. “We need more folks doing exactly what they are doing to take care of us. We need good healthcare; these youth apprenticeships help start supporting that at a younger age.”

 Students like Madison McMaster and Maggie Smith, both seniors at Davie High School, found the pre-apprenticeship program to be a perfect fit for them. Both students completed the program and were awarded certificates at the event along with classmates Daniela Adame-Herrera and Olivia Williams. Also recognized were new pre-apprenticeship students Rubi Benitez-Torreblancai, Adriana Bullard, Stacy Hinz and Emily Watts.

 Pre-apprenticeship students gained knowledge in the classroom, then were able to put those skills into practice with patients at Trinity Elms Retirement Community in Clemmons.

 “The program seemed like good idea – stepping into the healthcare field,” Smith said, who plans to further her healthcare studies at Forsyth Technical Community College. “We had a tremendous amount of training before working with the patients. We spent time feeding and changing them. The experience taught me empathy on a whole different level. I learned to be passionate and empathetic. And I also learned that sometimes all you can do is just be there for (the patients).”

 McMaster also thought the program was a smart idea, “I’m getting a paycheck while going to school and learning skills in the healthcare field.” She noted at first, it was scary working in that setting but said the ample training and coursework helped to ease students into working directly with patients.

Governor Stein speaks with student while touring Davidson-Davie's mobile labs

While at Trinity Elms, McMaster found she loved working in the dementia care area. “These people became like family,” she said, adding she plans to continue her work there and has been accepted in the RN Apprenticeship Program at Davidson-Davie. McMaster explained her grandfather has dementia and lives with her family – and she’s already been able to apply skills she’s learned in the program at home.

 Students like those at Davie High School are exactly what the pre-apprenticeship program seeks – youth with a clear path to career opportunities that are local. Stein noted that in February of this year, he directed discretionary funds from a federal program toward the NC Career Launch Initiative, aiming to grow youth apprenticeships. “This connects high schoolers with career opportunities,” Stein said. “We are going to grow youth apprenticeships in a variety of industries and provide financial support to students and employers. Students learn and earn, and that is so critical.”

Students enrolled in the program can take courses for free while also getting paid for their time in the workplace. The model serves to reinforce classroom learning directly on the job.

Stein added that he has plans to increase capacity to existing apprenticeship programs, helping to create a win-win-win for students, employers and the economy. “My Council on Workforce and Apprenticeship has set a clear goal to double the number of apprenticeships here in North Carolina within four years. We are headed in the right direction, but we have significant work ahead of us to meet that goal. Creating opportunities and addressing workforce needs is what community colleges like Davidson-Davie do every day.”

 Varner added how vital these partnerships are between the workforce and the community college system. “Governor Stein’s visit was a testament to the important work we have going on here at Davidson-Davie, and to the incredible synergy that comes with working together with business and industry to build the future workforce.”