Lumbee Holdings, Inc. and Seth Bullard, a Lumbee Holdings, Inc. Registered Apprentice, were awarded the Outstanding Registered Apprenticeship Program and Outstanding Registered Apprentice Awards on Wednesday, April 17, during the ApprenticeshipNC 2024 Annual Conference. 

Mr. Bullard and Lumbee Holdings, Inc. were nominated for their awards by George Pate of Robeson Community College for their outstanding contributions to, and achievements in, Registered Apprenticeship. 

Mr. Bullard was selected as the top apprentice from across the State of NC. Lumbee Holdings, Inc. was selected as the top registered apprenticeship program from across the State of NC. 

As of December 2023, ApprenticeshipNC had over 9,100 active apprentices and nearly 1,400 active registered apprenticeship programs.

In addition to presenting them with their awards, ApprenticeshipNC, the State Apprenticeship Agency operating under the North Carolina Community College System, premiered videos highlighting the accomplishments of the recipients.

Bullard is an IT apprentice for Lumbee Holdings, Inc. in the final stages of completing his apprenticeship program. ApprenticeshipNC’s panel of judges, which was comprised of apprenticeship stakeholders from across the state, chose Seth as the 2024 ApprenticeshipNC

Outstanding Apprentice based on his exceptional performance, diligence, willingness to learn and dependability. 

When asked why he nominated Seth, George Pate, Apprenticeship Coordinator, Robeson Community College said, “He inspires others toward excellence through his commitment to continuous personal and professional growth, meticulous attention to detail, compassion, and the way he embraces adversity.” 

On top of being an outstanding apprentice, Seth is also one of the first Native Americans to apprentice for a federal contractor.

Seth graduated from Robeson Community College with Distinction in May 2023, earning his Associate of Applied Science in cybersecurity and network management. He has also earned certificates in Information Technology and Cisco Networking Academy. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity at UNC Pembroke. 

Seth was joined at the awards ceremony by his parents, Robeson Community College staff and Lumbee Holdings, Inc. leadership. 

See Seth’s awards video here.

Proving outstanding talent is fostered by outstanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs, ApprenticeshipNC’s panel of judges also chose Lumbee Holdings, Inc. as the 2024 ApprenticeshipNC Outstanding Registered Apprenticeship Program based on their tremendous pride in their program, eagerness to share their apprentices’ accomplishments, and support of their apprentices’ pursuit of higher education and additional credentials. 

According to Mr. Pate,

“Lumbee Holdings, Inc.’s program produces well-trained, reliable, driven talent that will bolster

both their own workforce and support their community.” Joshua Malcolm, CEO, Lumbee

Holdings, Inc., Jamie Lowery, Program Manager/Facility Security Officer, Lumbee Holdings, Inc., and George Pate accepted the award from ApprenticeshipNC staff. See Lumbee Holdings, Inc.’s awards video here.