Commerce Secretary Joins Charter Communications in Saluting Apprentices

Matthews, N.C.-- Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, joined executives at Charter Communications today for a Spotlight on Apprenticeships. The event was held this morning at the company’s training center in Matthews.


“Apprenticeships are the perfect example of how Governor Pat McCrory’s administration is working with businesses and educators to continually improve our workforce readiness strategy,” said Secretary Skvarla. “As companies like Charter Communications team up with NCWorks Apprenticeship, they are tapping a resource that can fine-tune skills around their unique talent needs.”


Apprenticeships enable high school and college students to gain paid work experience while completing their classroom-based or online studies. Upon finishing the program, apprentices receive a Journeyman certificate from NC Commerce and the U.S. Department of Labor along with an offer of permanent employment from their company. Currently, 562 North Carolina employers offer an apprenticeship program. They are working with more than 4,600 registered apprentices.


Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading broadband communications company and the second largest cable operator in the United States, and completed its merger with Time Warner Cable earlier this year. In advance of introducing its Spectrum brand of services in North Carolina in early 2017, Charter continues to operate under the Time Warner Cable brand. Time Warner Cable currently has more than 600 active apprentices in North Carolina, making it the largest apprenticeship program in the state.


“Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction, both of which are integral to our technicians’ career development and delivering an outstanding customer experience,” said Charlene Keys, Area Vice President of Operations, Charter Communications. “Apprenticeship has been particularly helpful in recruiting and providing career opportunities for veterans who have completed their active-duty military service and are starting careers in the private sector.”


Apprentices pursue a four-year program that combines classroom and online learning with on-the-job training that is part of the company’s Tech Career Progression plan. Participants earn a Broadband Technician certification. Since the inception of the program at Time Warner Cable in 2008, 355 apprentices have completed the program, nearly half of whom are military veterans.


Governor McCrory’s NCWorks initiative includes NC Commerce Workforce Solutions, the NCWorks Commission, the NC Department of Public Instruction, and the North Carolina Community College System.  The goal is to create a stronger alignment of services and resources to meet the workforce needs of businesses, connect North Carolinians to technical training and quality careers, and use data to monitor and assess program outcomes. For more information about NCWorks, visit www.nccommerce.com/ncworks.