U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh highlights apprenticeships at Durham Tech

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh joined Vice President Kamala Harris visit to Durham Technical Community College on Wednesday and highlighted the work of the College and the plans of the Biden Administration to grow and diversify registered apprenticeships. 

“Community colleges like Durham Tech are essential to this work. They are the engine of equity and higher education. And they are the key to growing our middle class like creating pathways from school to career for American students and American workers,” Walsh said. 

Walsh visited the College to learn more about the electrical apprenticeship partnership with Durham Tech and the Raleigh-Durham Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) that began in 2017.  

The electrical program  is one of many apprenticeships that the College offers. Partnerships with organizations like the City of Durham, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, KBI Bio Pharma, UNC Health, Corning, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, El Centro Hispano, among others, allow Durham Tech to provide opportunities for their students and act as a diverse talent pipeline.  

“What is really exciting is walking into the classrooms and seeing diversity. Seeing men, women, people of color in the classroom learning the skills in jobs that support families and support communities,” Walsh said.  

Walsh spoke Wednesday during a visit from the Vice President inside the Phail Wynn Jr. Student Services Center and highlighted a conversation he had with one of Durham Tech’s instructors during the classroom tours and how his work in trades and education changed his life by creating a pathway to the middle class to making a better life for his children. 

“The Biden administration and Department of Labor are investing $45 million dollars in grant programs to strengthen community colleges right now. This program will help community colleges strengthen and connect people to training and allowing people the opportunity to good in-demand jobs that we need right now,” said Walsh. 

The grant programs will focus on women, workers of color, and marginalized communities.  

In 60 years of its history, Durham Tech has provided necessary customized training and skills for students to earn livable-wage careers. The College continues to offer new programs, partnerships, and apprenticeships to meet the needs of the community and changing economy. 

“With his background in the building trades, Sec. Walsh was right at home in our classrooms and with the equipment,” said Durham Tech President JB Buxton. “We appreciated his time with our students and instructors and the emphasis he placed on the role of community colleges as the key institution to making sure our region’s economic boom benefits everyone.”