Awesome Alumni
If there could be a poster child for the education process leading to a successful career in advanced manufacturing , it would be Robby Carter . A 2003 graduate of North Iredell High , Robby decided upon entering high school that he wanted to take all the engineering classes he could . After completing that curriculum , he signed up for architectural classes , “ just to spend time on the computers and understand the software ,” he said . In his sophomore year , the Apprentice 2000 representative visited North High , looking for students just like Robby - good in math , skilled at reading drawings , a self-starter and independent thinker .
Apprenticeship 2000 is an award-winning organization that began in 1995 as an industrial apprenticeship partnership located in the Charlotte , NC region . Apprenticeship 2000 was formed to offer technical career opportunities to motivated high school students and employment after graduation . Through this program , the Apprenticeship 2000 partner companies obtain highly skilled employees to fit the technical job needs . Each individual partner company trains apprentices for their own workforce in such trades as CNC Machinist , Tool & Die Maker , Mechatronics and Injection Molding Technician .
The Apprenticeship 2000 partner companies provide onsite apprenticeship training . The 8000-hour training program spans four years during which time apprentices also earn an AAS degree in Mechatronics Engineering Technology from Central Piedmont Community College . Upon graduation , apprentices are also awarded a Journeyman ’ s Card and Certificate by the State of North Carolina and a Certificate from the US Department of Labor .
Since Apprenticeship 2000 only accepts rising seniors Robby Carter had to wait until the summer prior to his senior year to apply for an apprenticeship with one of the participating manufacturers . First came the weeklong testing phase , which he passed , allowing him to move into a summer internship with Max Daetwyler Corporation , one of the 5 corporations that make up Apprenticeship 2000 . After a successful summer program with Daetwyler , earning a salary and
Robby Carter
working full time , Robby was accepted into the full internship program during his senior year at North . He went to school in the morning at North High and worked the afternoons at the plant in Huntersville . After graduating from high school , he attended classes at Central Piedmont Community College . He continued in this program for the next three years , working full time and completing his Manufacturing Technology degree from Central Piedmont Community College .
“ If anyone is thinking of machining or manufacturing as their career , I would definitely encourage this path ,” Robby said . “ I was able to learn a highly skilled trade and trained with some amazing , seasoned machinists . This career path is growing locally . There is a need for people who enjoy working with their hands , building something they are proud of and then as a result , are able to provide for themselves and their family .”
A product of Iredell-Statesville Schools , Robby
12 Iredell-Statesville School & Family