October 17, 2025 by Cara Pattison, Program Manager Wake Technical Community College in North Carolina is earning national recognition through the SME Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC) for its innovative, employer-centered apprenticeship model that is redefining how colleges and companies collaborate to build talent pipelines. Over the past six years, Wake Tech has built a robust and employer-centered apprenticeship strategy that not only supports students but also reduces administrative barriers for companies—a sticking point that often keeps employers from launching apprenticeships. Dean of Engineering, Technologies & Skilled Trades Al Brewer, Jr. described Wake Tech’s apprenticeship ecosystem as multi-layered, including youth apprenticeships, adult apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and embedded work-based learning within credit-bearing academic programs. “Our program started small,” Al explained, “but we learned quickly that employers were overwhelmed by the paperwork and administrative requirements to become a registered sponsor. So, we took on that role ourselves.” By serving as the official apprenticeship sponsor, Wake Tech absorbed the administrative burden, making it easier for employers to participate without navigating the complexities of state and federal paperwork. This move has significantly grown employer participation across the region. Another breakthrough came when employers expressed frustration over students being available for work only in small blocks of time spread across the week. In response, Wake Tech restructured course schedules so apprentices could attend classes one full day each week, freeing them up to work with their employers the other four days. “That simple scheduling change was a game-changer for us,” Al said. “It allowed employers to integrate apprentices into their workforce more meaningfully and helped us expand our partnerships.” Wake Tech’s model goes beyond the classroom. Al described how the college works directly with companies to build customized training packages tailored to onboarding new hires or upskilling existing workers. These packages often combine non-credit workforce training, industry-recognized certifications, and credit-bearing coursework. Many of these customized training programs are then formalized as registered apprenticeships, offering employees a clear pathway from training to credential to career advancement. “Some of our apprenticeships are designed to take students three years to complete a two-year degree, allowing them to balance full-time employment and education without sacrificing quality,” Al noted. Employers collaborate with the college to schedule dedicated course sections exclusively for their apprentices, keeping learning on track while meeting workforce demands. Brewer emphasized that each employer’s needs are different, and Wake Tech tailors its solutions accordingly—whether the goal is onboarding new employees, upskilling existing personnel, or creating multi-site training solutions. As colleges nationwide work to expand earn-and-learn opportunities, Wake Tech’s collaborative, employer-responsive approach offers a practical model. By eliminating red tape, adapting course schedules, and building training packages based on industry needs, the college has set a new standard for making apprenticeships accessible and scalable. For more information about Wake Tech’s apprenticeship programs, contact Al Brewer, Jr. at asbrewer@waketech.edu.
