AASHTO Journal - NCDOT Launches Transportation Apprenticeship Program

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is now recruiting the first slate of apprentices under its new Transportation Apprenticeship Program or TAP+ – created in partnership with North Carolina Community to provide hands-on training and career opportunities for aspiring engineering technicians across the state.

[Above photo by NCDOT]

The first round of recruitment will focus on engineering technician apprentices, who will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects such as design, construction, bridge work, erosion control, aviation, rail, integrated mobility and maritime.

Applicants who are selected will gain in-depth knowledge of the transportation industry and earn a competitive wage plus benefits, the agency said.

Additionally, the program will serve as an entry-point for candidates who are seeking employment with the department but lacking one or more skills to qualify for a permanent position.

“TAP+ addresses the critical need for skilled talent, ensuring a robust workforce for the future,” explained Amanda Olive, NCDOT’s human resources director, in a statement. “By investing in apprentices, NCDOT is building a pipeline of qualified employees who are passionate about transportation.”

[Editor’s note: Many state departments of transportation use college intern programs in similar fashion as a way to recruit younger people into their workforces. The video below from the South Carolina Department of Transportation gives insight into how the interns view the learning experience gained through such programs.]

In related news, the NCDOT’s Office of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Outreach also recently awarded 13 students with scholarships of $1,100 each.

The scholarships came about in part due to $15,000 donated to NCDOT’s HBCU program received from the Southeastern Association of State Highway Transportation Officials.

Eligible recipients are North Carolina residents with 24 college credit hours who are attending an HBCU in the state or Minority Serving Institution and pursuing degrees related to the transportation field, the agency noted in a statement.

A committee made up of NCDOT employees and others selected the scholarship winners by scoring each student’s academic achievements and a personal statement expressing the student’s interest in transportation.