There’s no one-sized fits all pathway to success. But everywhere you look there only seems to be one message: graduate high school, go to college, get a good paying job. While that may work for some, rapid shifts in the economy threaten that traditional course. AI, for example, is putting the entry level jobs college graduates used to rely on at risk.
In this environment, racking up college debt seems like more of a gamble than ever before. If you’re considering continuing your education or going back to school, but want to see the road to success, consider vocational apprenticeship programs. The combination of on-the-job learning and classroom instruction puts apprentices on a clear trajectory for long-term success. Here are just some of the real-life apprenticeship success stories Orange Technical College has produced.
How Noble Thomas Went From Food Service To President
One of our first apprenticeship success stories comes from an alumnus turned instructor, Noble Thomas. Noble Thomas had first become exposed to the kinds of hands-on learning that vocational apprenticeship programs are known for as a freshman in high school. That year, he shadowed an electrician as part of a school program.
After Thomas graduated high school and entered the workforce, he found jobs in the food service industry unfulfilling and remembered the high school program he participated in. That led him to Orange Technical College and the F.E.A.T program, where he became an electrical apprentice.
While in the program, Thomas was a Helper and Electrical Mechanic, learning while earning more than he had in food service. Thomas credits the high quality, technical education he received through the program as the foundation for the success he’s experienced in his career.
After completing the program, Thomas became a superintendent at Bright Electrical, one of many apprenticeship career paths available to OTC alumni. From there, Thomas continued to climb the ladder, becoming a project manager and now the department manager. In this role, Thomas manages 120 people on a daily basis.
Thomas knows that FEAT provided him with the skills he needed to have an enjoyable career, which led him back to the program. He became an instructor in the program, training the next generation of electricians. He also served as the President of the Board at FEAT, ensuring the program remains a viable apprenticeship path for Orange County students.
Jesse’s Apprenticeship Took Him to the Stars
In August 2012, Jesse was looking for a career path that would provide the benefits he was looking for while holding his interest. Jesse grew up around the construction industry and thought a school to further his education might be a worthwhile path. That search led him to FEAT (Florida Electrical Apprenticeship Training) through Orange Technical College.
After a visit to our Mid Florida Campus, Jesse was put in contact with contractors to apply to and began working with local electrical company, Heron Electric. As an apprentice, Jesse attended classes two nights per week while working full time at Heron. The classes provided Jesse with essential safety knowledge like First Aid and OSHA regulations, while learning the skills he needed to progress at work.
Within a year, the education provided through OTC gave Jesse a leg up in promotions. He was put in charge of a company truck thanks to his proficiencies in the skills his employer needed, but that other long-time employees lacked. Jesse says the promotion was “all thanks to the…classes I took at OTC.”
Despite an economic downturn that could’ve plunged Jesse’s career asunder before it got off the ground, Jesse’s participation in FEAT saw him elevated to Lead position at Tri-City Electric. As Jesse’s role and responsibilities grew, it led him to new challenges and problems he hadn’t yet seen. But remaining in the Apprenticeship program meant he could get answers in class.
Jesse completed the FEAT program in 2016 without missing a class and without a penny of debt. The career boost that Orange Technical provided helped Jesse become a foreman at Tri-City. While there, he worked on the construction of the Star Wars attractions at Hollywood Studios in Disneyworld. As Jesse puts it, “If not for all the training that I received throughout the program, especially pertaining to the mechanics of electrical components, I would never be where I am today.”
Patrick Is on the Pathway to Success
Patrick has been an Orange County Public school student since kindergarten. From those beginnings, he’s now progressed to a graduate from the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program at Orange Technical. In high school, Patrick found his passion for learning and working with his hands. In woodshop, theatre, and ROTC, Patrick excelled in ways he hadn’t up to this point.
Patrick didn’t have much of a taste for the more academic aspects of education and thought college wasn’t going to be for him. But Patrick discovered that Orange Technical College’s apprenticeship programs were grounded in the hands-on learning he loved. He could continue to participate in classes he enjoyed and excelled in.
After completing the HVAC career certificate program, Patrick earned industry certifications including a national Freon certification. The high quality education he received from OTC’s teachers helped prepare him for the hardest challenge yet, securing an apprenticeship.
Out of a pool of over 70 candidates, Patrick was selected to become an apprentice at Lennox, one of the leading international climate control companies. Despite being under 20 years old, Patrick is earning what it would take others decades to obtain without going into debt to do so. He’s on just one of the many apprenticeship career paths that you can unlock through Orange Technical College.
You Can Enjoy Real-Life Apprenticeship Success Too
The apprenticeship success stories shared here are within your reach. The opportunity to learn valuable, in-demand skills while earning money and experience is unparalleled. Enrolling in a vocational apprenticeship program at Orange Technical College can be the first step towards writing a success story of your own. Graduate debt-free, with knowledge and experience that puts you in a class of your own for advancement.