Student pre-apprentices lead the way for future workforce

During National Apprenticeship Week, WCPSS students are showing how hands-on learning can open doors to meaningful careers before they even graduate.

Two high school seniors, Conner Piotrowski of Rolesville High and Owen Gessner of Broughton Magnet High, are gaining practical experience through pre-apprenticeships. Along the way, they’re building technical skills, professional habits, and confidence in their futures. 

Sparking a passion for work

For Conner, the journey started with uncertainty about his future.

“It was really me being in class, not knowing what I wanted to do after high school,” Conner says. “At our school, we have a trades program and my teacher, Mr. Style, let me know that there's more than just a 4-year college after school and stuff like that.”

That introduction led him to starting his program at L.L. Van Electric, where he quickly learned what it takes to succeed on the job.

“Responsibility - that's the biggest one really, showing up,” he says. “If you don't show up, you don't have a job anymore. And I like how it's providing for your family.”

During his shifts, Conner splits his time between learning from the other technicians and helping with duties like warehouse clean-up, inventory management, and safety labeling. Richard Warren, Warehouse and Equipment Manager at L.L. Van Electric, says students like Conner are exactly what the industry needs. 

"He's a very industrious young man,” Warren says. “He's willing to learn and willing to work. I think he's going to go very far in the apprenticeship program."

Warren says investing in students is essential to the future of the trades. Due to a large number of older workers retiring or leaving the industry, a gap in the workforce has formed.

"So these students that are coming aboard and getting interested in the trades, we're really trying to pour our efforts into them and cultivate their eagerness,” Warren says. “It is well worth the investment to try and get the younger generation interested in the trades. That's the only way we're gonna be able to continue on, because if not, where are our future workers going to come from?"

After graduation, Conner plans to take a short break for the summer before continuing in the field.

Roadmap to career success

Owen Gessner’s experience at Choice Auto Repair has grown steadily. He spends many of his afternoons observing the journeyman technicians as they work to repair clients’ vehicles, assisting with whatever they need to do the job. During downtime, he’s able to practice welding.

“I started off just one day a week, and then gradually moved up to three days a week now,” he says. “I work in the afternoons, usually about four or five hours.”

Owen says support and flexibility from his school has been key. Through regular meetings with CTE staff and other students, he’s been able to reflect on his progress and stay on track.

“We have quarterly meetings, where I'll meet with all the other pre-apprentices and interns and we just talk about our experiences,” Owen says. “There's also just regular checkups, they see how everything is going.”

For students considering a pre-apprenticeship, he offers simple advice: “It's definitely worth it, but you do have to be willing to put in the work. If you get the chance, I would say take it. It'll give you a great experience.”

Choice Auto Repair owner Alton Barber says the need for skilled workers is urgent.

"The industry needs technicians really badly, we need people going into this field,” he says. “It's critical."

He emphasizes that today’s workforce requires more than just technical ability.

"Anybody can learn to take something apart and put it back together,” Barber says. “It's the comprehension and critical thinking that we're really trying to promote and foster. Because for this next generation, that's going to be a requirement."

Just the beginning

Pre-apprenticeships give students a head start while helping businesses grow their future workforce. For Conner and Owen, the experience has already provided direction, purpose, and pride in their work.

WCPSS Career and Technical Education programs continue to expand these opportunities, connecting students with real-world learning and preparing them for success in their careers and beyond.

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