Apprenticeships, Internships, and Work-Based Learning

Apprenticeships combine coursework with paid, on-the-job training at one company over a 12–48 month period.

We’ll learn about your interests and strengths, then connect you to a company in the Charlotte area when it has a need for someone with your talents and potential. If you're serious about jump-starting your career, becoming an apprentice through Central Piedmont can reward you in many ways. Other than the obvious value of work experience, you may work your way into a permanent position. In some cases, you can get your Central Piedmont tuition and fees covered.

Get Started

1. Email Workplace Learning with "Apprenticeship CLT" in the subject line. Attach a current résumé and state your program of study, GPA, and career interests. Career Services can help you with your résumé. Indicate in your email how much course work you have completed to date.
2. Schedule a meeting with a Workplace Learning coordinator.

Once you have met with a Workplace Learning coordinator, you will be added to our candidate pool. We will contact you when relevant apprenticeships become available. Please check your Central Piedmont email account regularly.

In an internship, your work schedule's start and end dates are flexible depending on the employer's needs and your schedule; you will coordinate your schedule with the employer. You will have no minimum hour project requirement. Internships may be project work, contract-based, or time-based and can range from a weekend experience to an entire year in length. Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer. You will receive a Certificate of Completion from Central Piedmont upon successful completion of your internship.

Internships are open to both current college-credit-seeking students and recent graduates enrolled in participating for-college-credit programs or Corporate and Continuing Education programs. Eligibility varies by program.

Get Started

Contact your Workplace Learning coordinator for details.

Benefits

• Gain practical experience in your field or explore a career path.
• Work with professionals who have first-hand knowledge of your work product and skills.
• Develop a portfolio of work to increase your chances of finding a job.
• There is no cost to participate in an internship.
• A Workplace Learning coordinator and an on-site supervisor will mentor and support you during your internship.

Instead of earning credit by attending class in a traditional classroom setting, your work-based learning course lets you earn credit and gain experience by working with an employer in a position directly related to your field of study.

Work-based learning courses (WBL) start at the beginning of every semester at Central Piedmont (August, January, and May) and are offered in over 40 programs. You will complete 160 hours for a one-credit class, or 320 hours for a two-credit class during the semester. We encourage employers to pay you, but not all work-based learning experiences are paid. In some programs of study, the work experience must be unpaid due to licensure restrictions. You will work directly with a Faculty Coordinators while you are enrolled in your work-based learning (WBL) class.

Get Started

• Review our list of approved programs (PDF) to see if your program offers work-based learning courses.
• Meet with Workplace Learning staff two to three months before you would like to begin working.

To ensure you have a successful work experience, each program has coursework that you are required to complete before you can take a WBL/co-op course.

Both full-time and part-time instructors can serve as a faculty coordinator for work-based learning courses, provided that you have met required credentialing to teach in the specific field of study.

Please note the distinction between the work-based learning courses offered by Workplace Learning and WBL 110. An exempt, staff employee who has earned an associate degree from a regionally-accredited institution can be credentialed to teach WBL 110.

Work-Based Learning Faculty Coordinator Responsibilities

• Determine if a student meets the program’s eligibility requirements.
• Approve the student’s workplace learning application.
• Recommend employer worksites based on students' knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Approve Measurable Learning Objectives (MLOs).
• Conduct at least one employer visit before the semester ends.
• Review the workbook and assigning a grade.
• Submit paperwork in a timely manner and adhering to NCCCS regulations.
• Promote the benefits of work-based learning/co-op to both students and employers.

Contact the campus coordinator for more clarification on Workplace Learning policies and procedures.