Spherion Staffing & Recruiting of Asheville has presented its Community Gives Back Donation to A-B Tech's RAMP Scholarship for the third year. The scholarship supports students enrolled in Engineering and Applied Technology programs.
The $1,500 RAMP scholarship is provided to students who have a 3.0 GPA or above, are a resident of Buncombe or Madison counties, and have graduated high school in the past year. Students also must be actively participating and registered in a RAMP pathway and registered with NC Works.
Spherion Asheville franchise owner Molly Gaffney-Keebler selected A-B Tech’s RAMP Scholarship as a donation recipient due to the program’s commitment to helping students develop successful manufacturing career paths.
The RAMP (Raising Awareness of Manufacturing Possibilities) initiative was launched by A-B Tech, the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, and area public schools to develop an improved pipeline of talent to fill positions in the area’s advanced manufacturing firms, which was identified as a key need by area employers.
“A-B Tech is committed to working with local employers, education partners, and the workforce development board to develop and implement strategies to meet this need,” said Debbie Cromwell, A-B Tech’s Director of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships. “It is crucial we help students realize the career possibilities that are available in high-tech, high-paying advanced manufacturing fields. The funded scholarship by Spherion will give a student the opportunity to achieve this career.”
A-B Tech programs that prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing include Mechatronics Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Computer-Integrated Machining Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Electrical Systems Technology, and Computer-Aided Drafting Technology.
Photo caption - from left, Cindy Messer, Regional Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator Western and Northwestern Region ApprenticeshipNC NCCCS; Leronica Casey, Coordinator, Scholarships and Donor Relations; Niccole Watson, Specialist Work-Based Learning; Nathan Ramsey, Executive Director Land of Sky Regional Council/Director Mountain Area Workforce Development Board; Molly Gaffney-Keebler, Spherion Owner/Vice President of Operations; Joe Keebler, Spherion Owner and Vice President of Sales; John Gossett, President of A-B Tech; Debbie Cromwell, Director Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships; Amanda Edwards Executive Director College Advancement.