LEAP@ForsythTech: College Sponsored, Community Driven

Forsyth Technical Community College is a catalyst for equitable economic mobility, empowering lives, and transforming communities; this vision statement embodies our student focus and innovative approach to education. LEAP@ForsythTech, our registered learn and earn apprenticeship program, is an ever-growing facet of the college. Traditionally, apprenticeship programs are employer-sponsored; however, Forsyth Tech choose to take on this role and, in 2019, LEAP was the first of its kind in the Piedmont Triad. The program started as a college and Advanced Manufacturing Business and Leadership Team collaboration to resolve a significant local issue—a lack of suitably skilled employees. As an adult apprenticeship program, candidates are recruited from high school seniors, adults in the community looking to reskill, and current employees of LEAP employer partners who want to upskill. To date, there have been six cohorts with 54 total apprentices registered across 10 occupations, and employers have grown from four to 21. Recently, LEAP celebrated its third program completer.

Innovators

• Jennifer Coulombe, Associate Vice President, Business Partnerships and Process Improvement
• Alan Murdock, Senior Vice President, Economic and Workforce Development
• Linda Robinson, Apprenticeship Specialist, Business and Industry Services
• Danielle Rose, Director, Experiential Learning, Business and Industry Services