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College of The Albemarle Announces Healthcare Apprenticeships

Elizabeth City – College of The Albemarle (COA), in coordination with ApprenticeshipNC and in partnership with Sentara Health and Pasquotank-Camden Emergency Medical Services, is pleased to announce the successful hiring of several student apprentices for various positions in their chosen fields.

Sentara hired the following Student Nurse Apprentices from COA’s Associate Degree Nursing (A.D.N.) and Practical Nursing program (P.N.): Abigail Burkholder (A.D.N.), Jamie Lewter (P.N.), Katrina Sanders (A.D.N.), and Jamison Senitz (A.D.N.).

“Our partnership with College of The Albemarle builds a stronger healthcare pipeline and prepares students for meaningful and in-demand careers in healthcare.  We congratulate all the apprentices and are proud to welcome the new members to the SAMC team,” said Elizabeth Albaugh, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Sentara Albemarle Medical Center.

In cooperation with COA’s Emergency Medical Science Program, Pasquotank-Camden Emergency Medical Services hired the following EMT Apprentices: Johnathan Dunlow, Ezra Etzel, Kylie Felton, Savannah Felton, Christopher Frye, David Hill, Kyma Norman, Jenny Prince and Ashante Spruill.

They were under the direction of EMS Training Officer Sebrina Mallette and paid by Pasquotank County under their newly developed apprentice job description.

“We were able to train prospective EMT employees from the “ground up” in the apprenticeship program and instill street knowledge in them as they were also learning the classroom portion. Nine students completed the program. We have hired three as full-time staff, enabling Pasquotank-Camden EMS to be fully staffed on the streets for the first time in 18 months,” said Jerry Newell, Chief of Pasquotank-Camden EMS.

“Apprenticeship opportunities are extremely helpful for students because they can work in their field of study while obtaining their education, as well as make an early connection to the employer that we hope will turn out to be a long-term working relationship,” said Robin Harris, COA Dean of Health Sciences and Wellness. “They apply the skills and training from their classroom and clinical experiences in real-time scenarios and earn an income while training. We are grateful for the businesses and organizations that invest in our students while also providing a skilled workforce pipeline”

ApprenticeshipNC (ANC) is the State Apprenticeship Registration Agency operating under the NC Community College System. The mission is to help North Carolina employers build and retain an adaptable, skilled, and efficient workforce through the registration of apprenticeship programs across North Carolina. ApprenticeshipNC creates apprenticeship programs tailored to meet employer needs — providing structured on-the-job learning, related instruction, and a progressive wage scale. ANC also connects employers and apprentices to DOL-registered apprenticeship occupations and federal and state funding.

Apprentices, who are paid during their apprenticeship, receive on-the-job training and formalized classroom instruction. They also earn certifications, industry-specific credentials, and, depending on their programs, college degrees.

“ApprenticeshipNC works with employers across the state, in all 100 counties, to develop registered apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeships are employer led and solidify the importance of developing a strong, skilled, prepared workforce, allowing North Carolina to attract business and industry as well as people to our state.” – John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development N.C. Community College System.

For more information on ApprenticeshipNC, visit www.apprenticeshipnc.com or contact Amy Davis-Moore at [email protected] or 919-618-6249.

For all other COA-related information, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at [email protected] or 252.335.0821 ext. 2420.