During the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), Edison State Community College is doing its part to highlight the important role apprentices play in the workforce as well as the impact apprenticeship makes in the lives of those who follow the learn and earn model.

The collaborative approach taken by the Edison State Campus at Greenville and Brethren Retirement Community (BRC) has proven to be a key factor in apprenticeship success.

“Collaboration is key to apprenticeship models, and already having an established training partnership with the Brethren Retirement Community allowed for a streamlined process to developing the first approved healthcare registered apprenticeship in the State of Ohio. Registered Apprenticeships are employer-driven, and without the employer participation and feedback, there is no apprenticeship,” said Brandi Olberding, director of apprenticeships and work-based learning.

“Apprenticeship partnerships like the one Brethren Retirement Community and Edison State have formed allow the integration of the education system with workforce development for earn-as-you-learn opportunities. Registered apprenticeships are one tool to help meet the high demand for front-line caregivers, and nothing can prepare a student quite like on-the-job experience. Apprenticeships are a tried-and-true method to help students enter the workforce with the skills they need to succeed,” said Kara Allread, senior vice president and CAO of BRC.

One apprentice in particular has gotten a head start on his nursing career thanks to the training program made available through this partnership. At 16, Emiliano Segura began earning an income at the BRC in Greenville, Ohio, and later began working toward becoming a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA).

“I actually started out at the Brethren Retirement Community working in dietary. I decided to become a nursing assistant because I really enjoy helping people. I knew that my goal was to become a nurse eventually, and I felt like this was a stepping stone into that career field,” said Segura.

“This approach has helped me develop my skills as an STNA as well as other soft skills that I need to interact with patients as a nurse. Becoming an apprentice will also be really good to list on my resume,” Segura added.

The Registered Apprenticeship program has allowed Segura to enroll and register in college courses at Edison State while still attending high school at Tri-Village. “I just finished Introduction to Healthcare, and now I’m taking Medical Terminology. I have learned a lot already, and I feel like these classes will help me later with my nursing career. I really enjoy both classes, and I’m glad that I got into them.”

In addition to gaining knowledge, Segura also accomplished something many students his age have not. “The apprenticeship model has also helped me save enough money to purchase my first car and save up for college in the future. I feel like not many people my age have the opportunity to do that, and it is very special to me.”

As Segura continues on his educational journey to become a pediatric trauma nurse one day, he recommends his approach to other students. “I would definitely recommend this program to other students. It has already helped me a lot and will continue to help me in the future. I feel that it is a great option for other students as well. I want to thank Tri-Village for letting me take classes while going to work and working with Edison State.”

“Tri-Village is happy to have Emiliano Segura in our building throughout the school day, and we are thrilled to see that he is thriving outside of the classroom. Emiliano is a young man whose work ethic has carried him to this point in his apprenticeship, and that work ethic will continue to carry him forward on his career path,” said Lee Morris, Tri-Village High School principal.

Edison State is a recipient of the American Association of Community College’s Expanding Community College Apprenticeship Grant, made possible by the U.S. Department of Labor.

This story originally appeared here.