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Hanover Research | December 2017 <br /> © 2017 Hanover Research 14 <br />SECTION II: EMPLOYERS AND DURHAM TECH <br />PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR DURHAM TECH <br />Local employers told Hanover they are interested in partnering with Durham Tech as well as <br />expanding existing partnerships. Additionally, several intervie w participants suggested new <br />opportunities that Durham Tech might pursue with employers: <br />ƒ Internships as part of associate’s degree or certificate programs, <br />ƒ Apprenticeships as part of industrial training programs, and <br />ƒ 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 workforce,” 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 internship 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 technicians, 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 mentioned 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 g,py <br />Durham Tech could be more <br />proactive in helping students with ppg <br />job placement. As Durham Tech’s jp <br />employer partnerships grow in py p pg <br />Orange County, it should seek to gy, <br />connect students with employers. nts wi <br /> <br />Specifically, Durham Tech should py, <br />consider partnering with local pg <br />business to offer internships and p <br />apprenticeships. These programs pp ppg <br />allow students to see tangible g <br />outcomes and test their suitability y <br />for an occupation and allow for an occupation and allow <br />employers to test student skills py <br />and ensure that graduates meet e su e a g adua es <br />industry standards. <br />Job Placement <br />and Training g <br />Programs