RockATOP Celebrates 10 Apprentices
Aug 7, 2026RockATOP celebrated the achievements of five graduating apprentices and welcomed five new apprentices during its annual Signing and Graduation Ceremony on Aug. 5 at Rockingham Community College. The event brought together students, families, educators, employers, elected officials and community leaders to recognize the success of Rockingham County’s youth apprenticeship program.
Now entering its ninth cohort, Rockingham Apprenticeship and Technical Opportunities Partnership is an employer-led consortium through which RCC, Rockingham County Schools and local industries provide students with paid work experience, tuition-free college coursework and nationally recognized credentials while preparing them for high-demand careers. Since its inception, the program has produced more than 40 graduates and currently serves 28 students.
Graduates Reflect on Apprenticeship Experience
“Success for the RockATOP program is the community coming together, the businesses, the community college and all the schools, working together for the success of the students,” said Mary Beth Pichon, from local industry ABCO. “We all put the students first. That’s the most important part of this.”
During the ceremony, representatives from ApprenticeshipNC and the North Carolina Community College System praised RockATOP as a model workforce development program. John Loyack, vice president of economic development for the System, called RockATOP “a talent engine for this community” and said it demonstrates what can happen when schools, colleges, employers and communities work together
Graduating apprentice Hayden Pinnix reflected on his journey in the program, crediting mentorship and hands-on learning experiences for helping him discover his career path in machining.
“As my apprenticeship is coming to an end, and I look back on these last four years, there is not a thing that I would change,” Pinnix said. “My message to those who are just beginning the apprenticeship is to not get discouraged when times are hard and to continue to search for something that you can see yourself doing as a career.”
Champion Award Recognizes Program Leadership
The ceremony also recognized Jordan Dawson of Pine Hall Brick as the recipient of the 2026 RockATOP Champion Award for her dedication to supporting and promoting the apprenticeship program. Organizers praised Dawson – a RockATOP graduate herself – for her leadership, visibility and commitment to student success.
New Apprentices Begin Their Journeys
Rockingham County Schools Chief Academic Officer Dr. Leslie Coleman-Cassel highlighted the value of apprenticeships in helping students connect classroom learning with career opportunities.
“RockATOP is more than just an apprenticeship program,” Coleman-Cassel said. “It’s a reminder of what is possible when education, business and community come together with a shared purpose. Together we are opening doors, creating opportunities and preparing our students for bright futures.”
The evening concluded with the signing of five new apprentices who successfully completed the program’s summer pre-apprenticeship experience and will now begin their apprenticeship journeys with local employers.
For more information about RockATOP and apprenticeship opportunities in Rockingham County, visit https://www.rockatop.org/ or contact RockATOP at [email protected].
