
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 11, 1994                    TAG: 9406110308 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: D1    EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA  
SOURCE: BY BETTY MITCHELL GRAY, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: 940611                                 LENGTH: WASHINGTON, N.C.

APPRENTICES HAIL PROGRAM DURING VISIT WITH HUNT \

{LEAD} Karen Harrison, a recent Washington High School graduate, knew as a little girl that she wanted to work with animals. Now, after a year as a student-apprentice at a local veterinarian's office, she is ready to continue her studies at a local community college and, later, at veterinary school.

``I didn't want to settle for just anything,'' Harrison, 18, said Friday. The local apprenticeship program ``gave me a chance to really see what I wanted to do.''

{REST} For Samantha Foreman, 18, a rising senior at Northside High School, an apprenticeship at a local textile-manufacturing firm offered her more of a challenge than a former job as a waitress.

``I enjoyed waitressing, but I wanted to do more,'' Foreman said. ``I felt this was a bigger step on the ladder for me. This is a challenge.''

Harrison and Foreman were two of nine student-apprentices who met Friday afternoon with Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. and Superintendent of Public Instruction Bobby Etheridge. Hunt and Etheridge were in Washington to tout the governor's program for job training for high school students and to tour National Spinning, one of Beaufort County's largest employers.

``We ought to find an apprenticeship for every youngster who is willing,'' Hunt said.

The students told Hunt that not only were they gaining job experience, but they also were paying more attention to their school work and had become better students since joining the student-apprentice program.

``Now I'm a lot more interested,'' Harrison said. ``And I'm ready to learn more.''

Hunt earlier told about 100 educators, business representatives and government officials that the state needs to do more to educate and train the 75 percent of high school graduates who don't earn college degrees.

``In the past we have concentrated most of our attention and resources on those students who are going to college,'' Hunt said. ``But we must do more to make sure our high school graduates who don't go to college have the real job skills they need for the real world of work.''

National Spinning is home to the area's first certified high school apprenticeship program.

Students chosen for the program complete eight weeks of basic training, work 40 hours a week with the company during the summer, then work with the company four hours a day during their senior year in high school. Those who successfully complete their work with the company and their academic program are guaranteed a full-time job with the company after high school.

National Spinning President Henry B. Humphreys, who joined Hunt and Etheridge on their tour of the plant, said industries throughout the state need to do more to help prepare students for work.

``I think it's time we quit criticizing the educators in the state,'' he said. ``Industry needs to step forward and take its place in the partnership.''

Hunt has asked the state legislature for $2.25 million for high school job training, but less than half that amount was included in the state budget approved by the Senate last week.

As part of his 1994-95 budget, Hunt asked lawmakers for $1 million to fund JobReady, a new program that helps high schools and businesses develop apprenticeship programs and $1.25 million for Tech Prep to bridge the gap between high school and community colleges.

While the Senate included the Job-Ready program in its budget, it did not include funds for Tech Prep.

``This shows that the Senate budget was not perfect,'' Hunt said in an interview after meeting with the students.

``I hope the House will go along with it.''

by CNB