Trident Technical College Hosts Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships 12th Annual Signing Day
On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships (CRYA) program hosted its 12th annual Signing Day event at The College Center on Trident Technical College’s Thornley Campus. The event celebrated 130 youth apprentices who officially signed with 52 employers in the tricounty area. Approximately 500 people attended the breakfast, program and panel discussion.
The morning began with opening remarks from Melissa Stowasser, vice president for community and continuing education, followed by remarks from Erica Simon, deputy director of the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeships. Ellen Kaufman, the youth apprenticeship & marketing coordinator, led a panel discussion, which featured five students who participated in the apprenticeship program.
Amber Gillard, a former pharmacy technician youth apprentice with Roper St. Francis, is a Wando High School graduate.
Kyndal Gooden, a mechatronics youth apprentice with Nexans, is a Cane Bay High School graduate.
Ariah Green, a baking and pastry youth apprentice with Charleston Place, is a Summerville High School graduate.
Keyshon Green, a former machine tool technology youth apprentice with Stoba, is a Burke High School graduate.
Jonathan “Rhett” Pate, a computer networking youth apprentice with Dorchester County Government, is a South Carolina Homeschool Accountability Association graduate.
The program concluded with remarks from Yvonne Brown, a business consultant from Apprenticeships and Employer Partnerships.
This year’s Signing Day was sponsored by Regions Bank. The event was made possible through the support of the following funders: Apprenticeship Carolina, Bank of America, The Boeing Company, Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeships (PAYA), Regions Bank, the Trident Technical College Foundation and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Youth apprentices signed with employers in the following pathways: automotive, baking and pastry, CNA/pre-nursing, community service officer, computer support specialist, construction, culinary arts, engineering assistant, hotel associate, HVAC, industrial mechanics, logistics, machine tool technology, mechatronics, medical lab assistant, pharmacy technician and welding.
Through CRYA, Trident Technical College connects qualified high school students with participating local employers who interview, vet and hire students to begin work while also continuing their high school and college education. The two-year program allows students to earn a high school diploma, a TTC certificate, a national credential from the U.S. Department of Labor and two years of paid work experience.
Since the first signing day event in 2013, CRYA has continued to grow, providing valuable opportunities for students and strengthening the regional workforce.