RCC honors skilled workforce at 9th Annual Apprenticeship Randolph Signing Ceremony and 2025 Graduation

Randolph Community College (RCC) hosted its 9th Annual Apprenticeship Randolph (AR) Graduation and Signing Ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 5, celebrating both the accomplishments of eight graduating apprentices and the promise of 17 new signers — 14 in the manufacturing pathway and three in Information Technology — joining the Class of 2028.

“With RCC 2.0’s emphasis on Careers, Apprenticeship Randolph is and will stay a focus area for growth and our commitment to our industry partners,” RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “When you think about it, apprenticeship was in the DNA of RCC before it was a thing. More than 60 years ago, RCC’s very first brochure was titled, ‘Earning Through Learning,’ which is the epitome of apprenticeship.”

The evening began with an invitation-only dinner in RCC’s Armadillo Café honoring graduates and company sponsors, followed by a public ceremony in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center Auditorium. Guests included Randolph County Commissioner Hope Haywood; RCC Trustees Alvin Battle, James Goudy (Vice Chair), Reynolds Lisk (Chair), Cindy Schroder, and Andy Sykes, along with industry partners, educators, and proud family members.

“It’s been a ride the past four years, from balancing high school classes and college at the same time; to transitioning into a full-time job,” Reece Beeson, the 2025 class speaker who apprenticed with United Brass Works, said. “It may have been tough at times, but I owe a great deal of admiration, respect, and credit to our instructors who have had to put up with us. They say patience is a virtue, and I’d say these people are just about chock full. ... Fellow classmates, our future has just begun. The path we now walk we have worked hard to lay and now must continue to build and expand our horizons with the doors that have been opened.”

Before the Signing Ceremony, AR Chair Terence Franklin presented the 2025 Apprenticeship Randolph Ambassador Award to Southwestern Randolph High School Career Development Coordinator Jessica Cutler.  The Ambassador Award is presented each year to a person who has gone above and beyond for Apprenticeship Randolph. Cutler is a champion for Apprenticeship Randolph at her school and in her community, always touting the program as “life-changing.” She secured more applicants and signers from SWRHS this year than any other CDC.

Keynote speaker Jonathan Mroczkowski, who was a member of the first Apprenticeship Randolph graduating class in 2021, inspired attendees by urging them to embrace humility and lifelong learning.

“You should be proud of what you know — and proud of what you’re about to learn,” he said. “But the best professionals — the ones people trust and want to follow — are the ones who never let confidence get in the way of curiosity.”

The Signing Ceremony introduced the Class of 2028, with new apprentices committing to career tracks in Computer-Integrated Machining, Industrial Systems Technology, Automation Engineering, and Information Technology. Company partners presented apprentices with hats, certificates, and words of encouragement as they signed their official agreements.

Class speaker Charles “Cam” Morris shared his story of perseverance as he was not chosen for an apprenticeship the first time he applied.

“ ‘That's it,’ I thought. ‘What do I do now?’ ” he said. “Then I remembered something my old man told me: ‘If you cannot run, Son, then jog; if you can’t jog, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl, but always keep moving forward.’ This go-around, my application landed. I plan on finishing these three years and graduating from the apprenticeship with my peers. Trust me, I know they’ll work hard, too.”

The ceremony concluded with the Passing of the Gavel from Franklin to incoming Chair Kevin Cox, Tooling Engineer and Tool Shop Supervisor with Atalys, marking a new chapter in the program’s leadership. From 2023-2025, Franklin led the transition of AR from a four-year to a three-year program and secured competitive wage increases. He also realigned the program’s training into its current pathways. Apprentices now enter directly into Computer-Integrated Machining or Industrial Systems Technology, rather than completing two years of shared coursework before specializing. Earlier this year, he initiated AR’s strategic planning efforts, which the program will continue to advance under Cox’s leadership.

Guests then enjoyed a dessert reception and photo opportunities in RCC’s Café.

###

About Apprenticeship Randolph: Apprenticeship Randolph is an award-winning partnership among Randolph Community College, local industry, Asheboro City Schools, Uwharrie Charter Academy, and Randolph County Schools, providing high school juniors and seniors with hands-on, paid training in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing and IT. Students earn college credit, industry credentials, and an Associate of Applied Science degree — tuition-free — while gaining real-world experience. Recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Apprenticeship Partner by ApprenticeshipNC and named a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador, the program is a national model for workforce development. Learn more at www.apprenticeshiprandolph.com.

###

About Randolph Community College: Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com and SmartAsset and second in the nation by SmartAsset, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in-person and online. To register, visit randolph.edu/register or call 336-633-0200 and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.