News

Surry-Yadkin Works, in partnership with Surry Community College, Elkin City Schools, Mount Airy City Schools, Surry County Schools, Yadkin County Schools and local industry partners, has launched the Careers Electric Summer Academy, providing students with hands-on training and college coursework that prepares them for careers in North Carolina's growing electrical workforce.

The academy is one of 12 programs across North Carolina made possible through the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and the Siemens Foundation’s Careers Electric initiative reflecting the strong commitment of local education, industry and workforce partners to developing talent and expanding career opportunities in the region. The statewide effort aims to train 25,000 North Carolinians for electrical careers over the next decade while expanding access to high-quality work-based learning opportunities.

This summer, seventeen high school students are participating in the Careers Electric Summer Academy through the Careers Electric grant. In addition, two recent high school graduates are participating through funding provided by the Jobs for the Future Project ACCESS grant.

The 10-week summer academy combines classroom instruction with hands-on work-based learning. Students attend classes at Surry Community College two days each week and spend three days each week working alongside industry professionals at local employer partners.

Throughout the summer, participating students complete college-level electrical courses through Surry Community College, earn industry-recognized credentials, gain hands-on experience with local employers and complete a registered pre-apprenticeship. Upon successful completion, students are prepared to enter a registered apprenticeship, begin employment in the electrical industry or continue their education toward an associate degree in Electrical Systems Technology.

In addition to tuition-free instruction, students receive all required instructional materials, career coaching, employability skills training, financial literacy education and a $2,000 completion stipend upon successfully finishing the academy.

Participating Students and Employer Partners:

Alejandro Bobadilla, Mount Airy High School — JME
Caleb Borst, Adult/Post Graduate — Kazco
Savannah Collins, Elkin High School — Dorsett Heating & Air
Johnny González Contreras, Surry Central Magnet School — Altec-FLEET
Ty Hamby, Starmount High School — JME
Daniel Hernandez-Luis, Starmount High School — JME
Braydon Jones, East Surry High School — Altec
Patrick McGarry, Adult/Post Graduate — Junior Collins HVAC
Logan McHan, Surry Online Magnet School — CW Electric
Kaden McHone, Yadkin Early College High School — YCS Maintenance
Ethan Moser, Surry Online Magnet School — Salem Electric
Brandon Nava, Adult/Post Graduate — Parker Heating & Air
Edilberto Nava Rodriguez, Surry Central High School — Altec-FLEET
Luke Ray, East Surry High School — Altec
Austin Riggan, Surry Central High School — JME
Gage Rosenhauer, East Surry Academy — Kazco
Jacob Sain, Surry Central High School — Surry County Schools
Fernando Segovia, Elkin High School — Junior Collins HVAC
Travis Upchurch, Yadkin Success Academy — Surry Community College

“The Careers Electric Summer Academy is more than a summer program; it is an investment in the future workforce of our region,” said Crystal Folger-Hawks, Executive Director of Surry-Yadkin Works. “Through the collaboration of education, industry and workforce partners, students are gaining college credit, industry-recognized credentials and real-world experience that will position them for success in high-demand electrical careers. We are especially excited to expand these opportunities to both high school students and recent graduates, helping more young people discover rewarding career pathways while meeting the workforce needs of local employers.”

North Carolina’s need for skilled electrical workers continues to grow. According to labor market data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, employment for electricians is projected to increase from approximately 25,800 workers in 2024 to more than 28,500 by 2034. In total, North Carolina supports more than 70,000 jobs requiring electrical skills, and industry leaders cite retirements and increasing infrastructure demands as major workforce challenges. Programs like the Careers Electric Summer Academy help address those needs by providing students with training, credentials, and direct connections to employers.

Surry-Yadkin Works is a regional workforce development initiative connecting education and industry to prepare students and job seekers for successful careers through work-based learning experiences, including pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing and career exploration opportunities. For more information, go to surryyadkinworks.org.