Business Education

Pennsylvania Transformer Technology and Sandhills Community College partner to establish new registered pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships

By Staff Report, posted 2 months ago
Photos from PTT Groundbreaking in Hoke County on December 10, 2025.

Pennsylvania Transformer Technology (PTT) and Sandhills Community College (SCC) have partnered to establish new registered pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships in the welding and industrial electrician occupations.

A registered pre-apprenticeship is a short-term opportunity normally utilized for high school students designed to facilitate career exploration while introducing participants to industry skills and work-readiness to improve their chances of entering into a registered apprenticeship.   

A registered apprenticeship is a long-term paid on-the-job career training program that includes classroom instruction that could lead to a credential, certificate or associate degree at Sandhills Community College. 

In the past few weeks, there have been two industrial electrician pre-apprentices from Hoke County High School, one welding pre-apprentice from Hoke County High School and one adult welding apprentice registered into programs at PTT.  

Businesses interested in creating pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships programs are encouraged to reach out to Jason Levister at (910) 695-3778 or levisterj@sandhills.edu. Levister will help design a work-based learning experience aligned with industry standards and specific goals, attract the right talent, tap into a pool of motivated students eager to gain hands-on experience and give ongoing support.

More about these programs can be found at https://www.sandhills.edu/workforce-development/index.html 

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

Empowering Veterans: The 2026 Fayetteville Veterans Business Expo aims to close the opportunity gap

This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th


Bee-lieve the hype: Local apiarists and entrepreneurs share handmade crafts and helpful knowledge about our most important pollinators

Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle


The Hive of Hope Mills is open for business: Big T's serves as anchor tenant

Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.