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Apprenticeship Blue Ridge sends skilled workers into the job market

Graduates of BRCC’s Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program included Jackson Allen, Matthew James Overholser, Jonatan Mendoza Aguilar, Michael Tlacomulco Lazcano, Juliana Valdovinos, Jesus Estrada Santiago, Kimberly Perez Juarez, Brandon Valdez Muñoz, Ruby Dominguez-Manuel, Jair Arriaga, Axel Gladd and Chris Mills. [RICH KEEN/BRCC]

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 6, 2026

Blue Ridge Community College recently held a multi-cohort graduation ceremony celebrating the 16 graduates of the nationally-recognized Apprenticeship Blue Ridge program.

The three apprenticeship areas represented at the ceremony were Automotive, Early Childhood Education and Business & Banking.

Apprenticeship Blue Ridge blends hands-on learning with on-the-job training, allowing participants to earn while they learn. Apprentices work under the guidance of experienced professionals while taking college courses that directly apply to their work and field. At the July 22 ceremony, several employers attended to support their apprenticeship employees.

President Laura B. Leatherwood welcomed the graduates and attendees on behalf of the college and commended the apprentices for their dedication.

“Apprenticeships create a reliable pipeline of highly skilled employees, they strengthen retention, and they help businesses prepare the workforce needed for the future,” she said. “In doing so, they also strengthen families, our economy and the entire Western North Carolina region.”

Dean of Business and Service Careers Brenda Blackburn and Dean of Advanced Technologies Joe Shook both spoke in celebration of the successful completion of the program by all graduates.

Apprentices Matthew Overholser (Automotive), Ruby Dominguez-Manuel (Early Childhood Education) and Juliana Valdovinos (Business & Banking) reflected on their valuable experiences in their respective programs.

For information about Apprenticeship Blue Ridge visit www.blueridge.edu/apprentice.

Summer 2026 graduates included:

Early Childhood

·      Nicol Ayla-Mijares

·      Ruby Dominguez-Manuel

·      Alexia Gladd

·      Lyndsey Goss

·      Grecia Hernandez Garcia

·      Mia Lester

·      Kimberly Perez Juarez

Business & Banking

·      Jackson Allen

·      Jonatan Mendoza Aguilar

·      Juliana Valdovinos

Automotive

·      Jair Arriaga

·      Jesus Estrada Santiago

·      Michael Tlacomulco Lazcano

·      Raymond Mills

·      Matthew Overholser

·      Brandon Valdez-Munoz

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