The Road to Success Trade Tech Academy (RTS) is charting the way for North Carolina youth to access stable, in-demand, high paying jobs in the state.

The new technical education program, administrators say, exists to fill a gap for youth who don’t follow a traditional student route going into higher education. So far the program has been a success, celebrating its first graduating class in September of 2024.

The program centers on providing vital certifications for individuals looking to find a spot in trades industries like electrical, plumbing, construction, carpentry, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling (HVAC). RTS also offers personalized support and guidance, promoting apprenticeships and career placement assistance.

RTS PROGRAM OFFERINGS INCLUDE: 

Core: Foundational skills in construction core techniques, including framing and structural integrity, essential for residential and commercial projects. 

Electrical: Skills in master wiring, circuitry and troubleshooting for residential, commercial and industrial projects. 

Plumbing: Skills in pipefitting, fixture installation and system maintenance for diverse plumbing settings. 

HVAC: Skills in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for residential and commercial applications. 

OSHA10: A certification required by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Through it, workers gain expertise in workplace safety regulations and protocols for any industry. 

Carpentry: Skills in carpentry expertise for crafting and completing wooden structures in both residential and commercial environments. 

OSHA10 and Core three-credit prerequisite to all trades: Attaining hands-on experience and practical training through apprenticeship opportunities available in various trades, providing valuable industry exposure and mentorship.

RTS runs through the Maggie’s Outreach Community Economic Development Center (MOCEDC) in Raeford at 117 W. Elwood Ave. and is a partnership with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Ophelia Ray, Founder and CEO of the MOCEDC, said she selected the current RTS programs because she saw great needs and employment opportunities in the trades. Ray has sat in on the Lumber River Workforce Development Board, a part of the Lumber River Council of Governments.

“I had some conversations with various employers and looked at the construction and economic development that's going on in our area,” Ray said. “Within that, I saw a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities being developed in the plumbing, electrical and HVAC spaces. But the workforce is depleted.” 

A portion of the workforce in these trades, Ray said, is on their way to retirement, and the supply of workers is shallow. 

“Even our young people have not considered these jobs,” Ray added. “They can obtain credentialing, even if they didn't go to college, and that would allow them to build careers. These are careers that are lucrative and sustainable.” 

Ray said the need for RTS started in 2023 due to these opportunities and demand. 

“We have the opportunity as the center grows to build upon the trades that we currently have to offer,” she added.

The first class of the program graduated in September after starting in January. Ray said the students, all under the age of 30, are excited to get into the field. One of them, she noted, has a spouse who is a realtor. The student’s goal is to train in plumbing and assist her in her real estate venture. Another is a worker who wants to labor in the electrical field, and the other two are both hoping to become HVAC technicians. 

As Ray reflects on the future of RTS, she said she wants to ensure the program becomes even more accessible to prospective workers in the trades. 

“I would like to ensure that more individuals are eligible to enroll and they end up in classes, making sure that we are successful in workforce development and job readiness training, and ensure that we are able to provide work opportunities and bring on more partners,” Ray said. 

More opportunities through new partnerships, she added, would contribute to the growth of RTS. 

“As we move forward, we want to develop more credentials as far as educating students in the language of construction,” Ray said. The next step, she added, is to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in students. “We want to make sure they have the professional development to become self-sustainable and entrepreneurial.” 

Lastly, Ray also wants the program to help students find an alternative path that does not take them through a four-year academic institution, but that ultimately provides the same level of opportunity and stability.

“I am currently reaching out throughout juvenile prevention for youth, for students who have dropped out of school that are not enrolled in the school system,” she said. “If the opportunity is here to pull that population of youth, that’s part of our plan. We want to integrate that population that would otherwise not get into an employment sector because they may not have had their high school diploma.”

Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to contact RTS via email at info@rtstradetechacademy.org or call 910-633-8741.