Last Updated on August 27, 2024 2:14 pm
Today’s rapidly evolving educational and workforce training landscapes demand innovative solutions. While apprenticeships have a long history, they're experiencing a resurgence as a powerful solution, revitalized to meet the demands and innovations in the evolving education and industry landscape, forging a closer connection between education and the world of work.
Most recently, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute has launched a first-of-its-kind Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP) apprenticeship pathway that offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience that will help them compete for high-wage jobs in their chosen field once they earn their credential.
For students like Christy Miller and Isela Romero-Guevara, the apprenticeship program has been an exciting and an unexpected part of their educational journey. Both Miller and Romero-Guevara recently earned their OMP diploma and both participated in the OMP-Apprenticeship program. Both are also continuing their internships and gaining additional experience that will help them be successful in their ophthalmic careers. But each student forged her own unique path to get to this point.
For adult learner and mom Christy Miller, enrolling in the Ophthalmic Medical Personnel program at CCC&TI was a much-needed fresh start following a cut in hours at her previous manufacturing job. “I loved my job, but the hours took a decline at the plant I was at and I decided I wanted to do something with healthcare. I knew with healthcare, there would be more job security,” said Miller. “I decided on the ophthalmic program so that I can help people with their vision and provide the best possible experience for the patients.”
Miller, who completed the OMP program and earned her OMP credential this summer, was able to log work hours and earn a wage as an apprentice with a local Ophthalmic practice while continuing her on-campus course work. Getting that real-world experience will help Miller compete for high-wage jobs and land a full-time position now that she’s completed her degree. “I have been able to learn so much and get more hands-on training in a variety of areas at the practice. I love being able to learn how to better care for our patients,” she said.
Caldwell Early College High School student Isela Romero-Guevara began her journey into the OMP program following a simple elevator ride to one of her college classes. “I was applying to universities, but I knew that I wanted to be close to home, so I was also exploring programs offered at CCC&TI,” she said. “I noticed the flier advertising the OMP program in the elevator on my way to English class and also saw that it was open to high school students.” From there Romero-Guevara talked with her advisor about the program and decided to give it a try. “I ended up loving the program,” she says.
Romero-Guevara says that the apprenticeship has helped her prepare to enter the workforce and be successful. “The apprenticeship has helped me gain experience and be able to do hands-on training. The great thing about the program is that you can apply what you’ve learned in the classroom out in the field.,” she said.
Apprenticeships can be particularly helpful for high school students like Romero-Guevara, as they offer a unique opportunity to explore an industry in the classroom or on the job before they decide to pursue a career. The program could also translate into significant tuition savings for students who find the right fit through their apprenticeship experience. Students completing a qualifying pre-apprenticeship program while in high school who then enroll in a registered apprenticeship program within 120 days of their high school graduation, may qualify for a youth apprenticeship tuition waiver at one of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges, including CCC&TI.
For local employers, apprenticeships are also proving to be a valuable tool for both training and recruitment. “Apprenticeship complements our staff recruitment, development and retention efforts as we identify, support and invest in knowledgeable and career-minded students eager to demonstrate and develop their remarkable eye care skill sets while gaining valuable real-world work experience and earning competitive pay and benefits,” said Dennis Lee, Business Manager Morganton Eye Physicians. “It’s a true win/win for our practice and our student-apprentices!”
Mandy Cansler, Chief Clinical Officer for Graystone Eye, says that being an apprenticeship partner with CCC&TI has made a positive impact on their practice in a variety of ways.
“Integrating ophthalmic apprentices into Graystone Eye has been a game-changer. Their enthusiasm for learning brings new energy to our team, while their hands-on training allows us to shape skilled professionals who are well-versed in our specific needs,” said Cansler. “It’s a perfect blend of innovation and practical experience that not only enhances patient care, but also contributes to the ongoing growth and success of our practice. We’ve seen firsthand how apprentices can elevate our standards and improve overall efficiency.”
Both Miller and Romero-Guevara are continuing their apprenticeships and plans to sit for the national certification exam as the last step toward their certifications as ophthalmic professionals. Both graduates also expressed their gratitude for the opportunities that being a Cobra has provided to them as they worked toward their degrees.
“Going back to school was the hardest thing I think I have ever decided to do. I have three kids, a husband. But what a lot of people don’t know is that there are so many resources available to you as a CCC&TI student,” she said. “The instructors and college employees want to see the students succeed. CCC&TI is simply amazing, and I could not be more grateful.”
For Romero-Guevara, the benefits of attending CCC&TI and the positive impact have been felt in many ways. “CCC&TI is great and offers many opportunities for its students. I was just a high school student so working as an apprentice was not something I was expecting,” she said. “And CCC&TI has saved me and my family a lot of money and I have been able to pursue a career that I enjoy and do it close to home.”
CCC&TI partners with a number of local employers to provide apprenticeship opportunities to local students in a variety of programs. Area employers interested in hiring CCC&TI students as apprentices can also reach out to explore partnership opportunities.
For more information about apprenticeship opportunities for students or employers, visit https://cccti.edu/programs/apprenticeship.
For more information on CCC&TI’s Ophthalmic Medical Personnel program, visit https://cccti.edu/program/ophthalmic-medical-personnel.
Pictured is CCC&TI’s Class of 2024 Ophthalmic Medical Personnel graduates. Several students in the class served as apprentices as part of their training, including graduates Isela Romero-Guevara and graduate Christy Miller. CCC&TI offers a variety of apprenticeship opportunities that are helping local students gain hands-on experience and compete for high-wage jobs throughout the region. Pictured front row, right to left: Hailey Gurley (apprentice), Isela Romero-Guevara (apprentice), Emma Hullender (apprentice) and Christy Miller (apprentice). Second row, right to left are Trista Fox (apprentice), Jacey Braswell (apprentice), and Ashley Lopez-Agustin. Third row, right to left are Mariela Ayon-Limon (apprentice), Pa Vang, Katherine Golaszewski, Sahana Thilak and Bailey Hardin (apprentice).
