A new apprenticeship program is helping high school students plant seeds for the future. 

Gov. Roy Cooper celebrated the start of the Summer Manufacturing Academy at Lenoir and Wayne Community Colleges on July 10. The seven-week program is a part of the Southeastern Education and Economic Development (SEED) initiative.

SEED is a youth apprenticeship program supported by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education and Smithfield Foods. According to their website, it is meant to help provide career pathways and a college education for high school students living in southeastern North Carolina, while also growing the advance manufacturing and agriculture workforce.

It is currently offered to students in Wayne, Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties with plans to expand its reach. Students participating in the program will be paid and earn college credits while building a new skill set. 

“Apprenticeship programs like SEED help students gain critical experience, get college credits, and earn money while continuing their education,” Cooper said. “These programs are just one of the many ways North Carolina’s strong public schools and community colleges help prepare the leaders of tomorrow.”

This year, accepted participants are on the industrial manufacturing pathway. Currently, 33 students are taking three community college classes, participating in hands-on learning experiences, and taking field trips to local manufacturers, per a press release. According to the program webpage, they are scheduled to work 30 hours a week at $15 an hour. Students also receive two monthly stipends: $175 for travel expenses and another $175 for any equipment they need to complete their work. 

Students will earn an industrial systems technology certificate and a career readiness certificate at the end of the program. Their apprenticeship hours are transferable to an adult apprenticeship program. The program also plans to expand to include pathways in farm leadership and business operations.

“I wanted to put my best foot forward. I’ve always kind of been in a blue-collar family with blue-collar jobs. So I wanted to get an education too, and I feel like this was the best way to do that,” Jacob Jones, an apprentice in the program at Wayne Community College, said. 

The SEED program will have career awareness opportunities for middle school students and professional development opportunities for teachers and counselors. It will hold parent and student information sessions for families to learn about the program.

As stated on the SEED website, Smithfield Foods “saw a need in the agriculture and advanced manufacturing industry for more qualified, well-trained professionals in the workforce. So, they decided to lead the charge in growing their own talent pipeline” by offering the apprenticeship to students.

Patty Pfeiffer, president of Wayne Community College, said that thanks to Smithfield Food’s investment, they are helping students get experience.

“SEED is setting students on the path towards success and we are excited to show Governor Cooper our progress in this first year,” Pfeiffer said. 

In 2025, the program hopes to begin supporting youth apprentices in Duplin, Sampson, and Wilson counties on top of the ones currently being served. Expansion into Bladen and Columbus counties is planned for the following year.