HENDERSONVILLE – On July 13, 2023, the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation received a $10,000 grant from First Citizens Bank to support students pursuing the Business and Banking Apprenticeship program.

This grant award may be used to support the tuition, fees, and books for students in the Business and Bank Apprenticeship program, which allows eligible high school graduates and adult learners to earn money while in the classroom and on the job. 

“We extend our sincere appreciation to First Citizens Bank for their generous gift to our college,” said Trina Stokes, executive director of the Educational Foundation. “First Citizens Bank is committed to investing in the communities they serve and recognize that through education, they can impact the next generation of business and banking professionals in our local community. Together, we are working to create a strong workforce to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.”

This award is one of many ways First Citizens Bank gives back to their communities. Specifically, this grant aligns with their goal of benefiting non-profit organizations that support economic self-sufficiency and business growth.

“Apprenticeship is truly a transformational training and development program, which aligns industry-related curricula with correlated on-the-job training,” said Shanda Bedoian, director of corporate and customized training. “The earn-while-you-learn model supports the student apprentice in today’s market to realize their career aspirations. Apprenticeship Blue Ridge is grateful to forward-thinking partners like First Citizens Bank in partnering on such a strategic workforce development initiative.”

Learn more about the Educational Foundation at BlueRidge.edu/Foundation and Apprenticeship Blue Ridge at BlueRidge.edu/Apprentice. 

Featured photo: (Left to right) Trina Stokes, Dr. Laura Leatherwood, Nicola Barksdale, Vivian Bolanos, Brenda Blackburn, and Dr. David Stegall pose with a ceremonial check from First Citizens Bank. (Photo by Ben Rickert, Marketing and Communications Dept.)