Apprenticeship Blue Ridge Named Bellwether Award Finalist
Dec 11, 2024 03:01PM ● By WNC Business
Blue Ridge Community College announced that its Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program has been selected as a Top 10 finalist for the prestigious Bellwether Award in the Instructional Programs and Services category. This national recognition highlights innovative community college programs that deliver exceptional outcomes and have the potential for replication across the country.
The Bellwether Awards, compared to football’s Heisman Awards, have recognized excellence in community college innovation since 1995. This year marks the 31st annual competition, which will culminate in February 2025 at the Community College Futures Assembly in San Antonio, Texas. As a finalist, Blue Ridge Community College will present Apprenticeship Blue Ridge to a panel of respected peers and industry leaders, competing for the top honor in its category.
About Apprenticeship Blue Ridge:Apprenticeship Blue Ridge is a collaborative workforce development program aimed at addressing the skills gap by providing apprentices with paid, on-the-job training and classroom instruction in partnership with local employers. The initiative offers hands-on experience in growing industries, providing participants with practical skills, industry-recognized certifications and competitive wages.
About the Bellwether Award:
Established by the Alamo Colleges District, the Bellwether Award recognizes cutting-edge, evidence-based community college programs that address critical issues. Finalists are chosen through a rigorous selection process, culminating in a day-long competition where the top 10 finalists in three categories – Instructional Programs and Services, Planning, Governance and Finance, and Workforce Development – present their programs to a panel of judges.
Blue Ridge Community College is a two-year, post-secondary institution that elevates the educational experience to prepare students for 21st-century success in the workplace or at four-year colleges and universities.
Source: Blue Ridge Community College