Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Hanover Research | December 2017 <br /> © 2017 Hanover Research 14 <br />SECTION II: EMPLOYERS AND DURHAM TECH <br />PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUN ITIES FOR DURHAM TECH <br />Local employers told Hanover they are interested in partnering with Durham Tech as well as <br />expanding existing partnerships. Additi onally, several interview participants suggested new <br />opportunities that Durham Tech might pursue with employers: <br />▪ Internships as part of associate’s degree or certificate programs, <br />▪ Apprenticeships as part of industrial training programs, and <br />▪ Specialized training for employees of local companies. <br /> <br />Several interview participants suggested that Durham Tech could integrate internships into <br />its existing programs. Strickler (UNC Health Care) told Hanover internships can help “get <br />individuals into the work force,” and this is an area that Durham Tech could place “more <br />emphasis.” Frischemeier (Boomerang) agreed that “internships with a view to job placement” <br />are needed, perhaps before the end of an associate’s -level program. Frischemeier pointed <br />out that an i nternship allows younger students, <br />who may not have held a full -time job, to “see what <br />their options are” and could be “a significant <br />motivating factor.” Meanwhile, internships show <br />local employers that the student is a “viable <br />employee.” <br /> <br />Others mentioned apprenticeships in industrial <br />fields. Brantley (OC Development) told Hanover <br />that in some counties, organizations pay for <br />students to complete apprenticeships – students <br />“proactively” attend community college “as an <br />apprentice of an industry .” Carrillo (Frontier) <br />suggested that a variety of local businesses might <br />need electricians, plumbers, HVAC te chnicians, and <br />other specialized workers, and that a hands-on <br />apprenticeship can be an effective training model. <br />Participants mentioned General Electric, the <br />Homebuilders Association, and UNC Health Care as <br />possible partners in this area. Frischemeier <br />emphasized that this type of program helps young <br />people “see through the chaos” and understand <br />that full -time employment is available. <br /> <br />Finally, interview participants mentio ned that local <br />employers might have specialized training needs <br />that they could address by partnering with Durham <br /> <br /> <br />In general, employers think <br />Durham Tech could be more <br />proactive in helping students with <br />job placement. As Durham Tech’s <br />employer partnerships grow in <br />Orange County, it should seek to <br />connect students with employers. <br /> <br />Specifically, Durham Tech should <br />consider partnering with local <br />business to offer internships and <br />apprenticeships. These programs <br />allow students to see tangible <br />outcomes and test their suitability <br />for an occupation and allow <br />employers to test student skills <br />and ensure that graduates meet <br />industry standards. <br />Job Placement <br />and Training <br />Programs