The Electric Department has kicked off its third year of participating in the local program, Tradesformers. On June 21st, the Pitt County Community Schools and Recreation Center hosted a signing event to welcome Pre-apprentice Lineworker Ty Langley to GUC through the program. Ty is a rising senior at J.H. Rose High School. 

Tradesformers is a youth apprenticeship program designed to connect high school students with growing industry trades in our area. “The program was started by local trades companies to address skills needs and gaps,” said HR Director Richie Shreves. “Industry and program partners like GUC work closely with Pitt County Schools, Pitt Community College, and other community partners to identify and foster student interest in the trades.”    

Students who join this program gain on-the-job training and related classroom instruction while also earning a base pay rate and learning valuable skills to advance in their field of interest. To be a part of the Tradesformers program, students must be high school juniors and go through an application and selection process. Once in the program, students can apply to work as Pre-apprentices at participating companies the summer before their senior school year. Throughout their senior year, Pre-apprentices can continue to work 10-20 hours a week.   

“GUC can select up to two high school seniors into the program per year,” said Assistant Director of Electric Systems Ken Wade. “Each Pre-apprentice works under the direct supervision of a Crew Leader or First Class Lineworker, and the assigned work duties are limited to de-energized equipment and facilities. Their work training focuses on safe work habits and basic construction principles.”   

After high school graduation, Pre-apprentice Lineworkers have the opportunity to enroll in Nash or Martin Community Colleges’ Electric Line Construction Academy. This is a 16-week program where students can earn a Third-Class Line Construction Certificate. Upon completion of the program, the Apprentice Lineworker is eligible to begin a one-year internship at GUC and can apply for employment at GUC should a position become available.