DDAC announces board appointments
LEXINGTON, N.C. – The Davidson-Davie Apprenticeship Consortium (DDAC) announced it has appointed its inaugural board of directors, along with its approval as an incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit by the Internal Revenue Service.
The board appointments and nonprofit approval represent important steps in the organization’s growth.
The nonprofit status will broaden DDAC’s access to resources to expand programs for apprentices, adding opportunities for students and further supporting the job market in the area.
“Incorporating at a time when the entire nation is focused on workforce development is the right thing to do,” said newly appointed DDAC President Jeff Mitchell (CPM Proctor). “The focus at the local, state and federal level on fostering apprenticeship gives us unprecedented access to resources that we can turn into opportunities for both apprentices and new corporate partners.”
In addition to Mitchell, the following members were added to the board: Michael Holmes, vice president (EGGER Wood Products); Ree Smith, treasurer (Davidson County Economic Development Commission); Susan Medlin, secretary (Davidson-Davie Community College); Salisha Atkins (BMK Americas); Ashley Bell (Mohawk); Terry Bralley (Davie County Economic Development Commission); Jonathan Brown (Davidson-Davie Community College); LaRue Cribb (KURZ); Craig Goodson (Davidson County Economic Development Council); Taylor Greenlee (Ingersoll-Rand).
DDAC currently has eight member companies and has enrolled 50 apprentices since its founding in 2019. Its first graduating class was this past spring with six apprentices earning their journeyman certificates. Incorporation will support the growth of the program as new member companies and apprenticeship programs are added.
Apprentices in the DDAC program attend school one day a week at Davidson-Davie Community College and receive on-the-job training four days each week. The program includes competitive pay, a full benefits package, a debt-free associate degree upon completion and eligibility for a full-time job upon graduation.
DDAC currently offers four-year apprenticeship programs in mechanical or electrical trades or a two-year production operator track. DDAC officials say that finalizing the nonprofit status should help facilitate an increase in programs offered by expanding access to grants and other funding sources.
“There has not been a time in recent memory where our workforce was in such need of talent, and apprenticeships offer a pathway to connect industry with the talent of the future,” Mitchell said.
“This step for our organization empowers us to expand apprenticeship opportunities, serving the needs of our local industry and also providing excellent career prospects for the workforce of tomorrow.”
DDAC member companies include BMK Americas, CMP Wolverine Proctor, EGGER Wood Products, Ingersoll Rand, KURZ, Mohawk Industries, Owens & Minor and Cascade Die Casting Group. The consortium is recruiting new companies.
For more information on DDAC, visit ddac.tech, Facebook or Instagram
About Davidson and Davie Apprenticeship Consortium:
Davidson and Davie Apprenticeship Consortium (DDAC) comprises manufacturing companies in Davidson and Davie counties, including BMK, Wolverine Proctor, EGGER Wood Products, KURZ, Mohawk and Ingersoll Rand, with a goal of providing bright futures for tomorrow’s talents. The DDAC apprenticeship program provides a paid, four-year curriculum in mechanical or electrical trades, or a two-year production operator track with college costs paid. Apprentices receive competitive pay during their apprenticeship, along with a full benefits package and eligibility for full-time employment upon graduation. For more information, visit ddac.tech, Facebook or Instagram.
