UNC Charlotte’s Facilities Management (FM) Department recently became the first in the UNC System to offer an apprenticeship program for trade careers. Through ApprenticeshipNC, Tierah “Tee” Coleman, a Charlotte native, and Kevin Gibbs, relocating from Louisiana, were hired as the inaugural class of electrical apprentices.
Apprentices have the unique opportunity to be hired as full-time UNC Charlotte employees and complete coursework at a local community college free-of-charge through ApprenticeshipNC.
They gain on-the-job experience working alongside electrician mentors, who were chosen by FM leadership. Under the direction of mentors Steve Tallent, David Elledge, Josh Hyatt and Carl LaChance, the apprentices assist in daily tasks and apply classroom learnings to real-life experiences.
Originally published Aug 29, 2019.