Surry and Yadkin counties are building a strong workforce through partnerships and work-based learning experiences through Surry-Yadkin Works.
On January 31, 2025, Surry-Yadkin Works held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET program. The Fostering Learning through Education, Employment, and Trades (FLEET) program is the newest program offered through Surry-Yadkin Works.
In February 2024, the Golden LEAF Board awarded $603,230 to Surry County Schools for personnel, equipment, renovations, student support, and technology and software costs to support the start-up of the Surry-Yadkin FLEET program, a component of Surry-Yadkin Works.
Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton joined Governor Josh Stein, Representative Virginia Foxx, State Superintendent Mo Green, Surry County Schools Superintendent Dr. Travis Reeves, Altec General Manager Ben Griffin, President of Surry Community College Dr. David Shockley, officials from Surry-Yadkin Works, and FLEET students to speak about the importance of this program.
“Golden LEAF focuses on Workforce Preparedness projects that increase the number of qualified individuals with skills aligned with current and future needs of North Carolina businesses and prepare students with the technical and life skills necessary to enter work,” said Hamilton. “The Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET program intersects high schools, community college partners, and local advanced manufacturing leaders to train qualifying high school students to help meet the local employment needs.”
The partners for the FLEET program play important roles. Surry Community College is the employer of Surry-Yadkin Works staff and serves as the headquarters for Surry-Yadkin Works. Surry County Schools has students participating in and provides teachers for the FLEET program. The other local districts are working to provide students participating in the program. Altec serves as the location for the FLEET program and provides work-based learning opportunities for the students.
“The FLEET model represents the future, expanding learning beyond the traditional classroom and into businesses because it’s the right thing to do—for our students and our local economy,” said Dr. Reeves. “By connecting students to careers, we are strengthening the workforce and benefiting the entire community.”
Surry-Yadkin Works offers opportunities such as pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and business engagement to prepare students for real-world careers.
“Through credentialing, certifications, and work-based learning, students gain hands-on experience that a classroom alone cannot provide,” said Dr. Reeves. “They are developing real-world skills in professional environments, deepening their knowledge, and understanding what it means to work for a great company. While the full impact of this program is immeasurable, we know these 16 students are paving the way for future success. In just a few years, we anticipate growing to 50 students per year.”
Executive Director Crystal Folger-Hawks has led Surry-Yadkin Works since its inception in 2021. Students participating in the Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET program are working toward a career in manufacturing while they finish high school.
“The launch of the FLEET program represents a transformative opportunity for students in Surry and Yadkin Counties,” said Folger-Hawks. “We are grateful for the support from Altec and the Golden LEAF Foundation, which allows us to provide hands-on training that not only benefits our students but strengthens our local economy.”
The FLEET program staff consists of two teachers and a teacher’s assistant along with the program director. The program began in August 2024 with nine students and now has 16 students in the program.
“Within Surry-Yadkin Works, the FLEET program serves as an alternative pathway to high school graduation with a focus on manufacturing,” said Folger-Hawks. “Students will still graduate from their home high school after completing their graduation requirements and pre-apprenticeship credits in FLEET.”
The difference in this program is that students complete high school classes and work-based learning in the same setting, Altec Industries in Mount Airy.
“FLEET students complete the same training on employment readiness that other pre-apprentice participants complete at Surry-Yadkin Works,” said Kara Parsons, FLEET Program Director at Surry-Yadkin Works. “The difference is that FLEET students are only located at Altec and complete their schoolwork at the manufacturing facility as well.”
Students participating in the FLEET program are working toward a career in manufacturing.
“Upon graduation, Altec can offer FLEET students full-time employment,” said Parsons. “Surry-Yadkin Works staff will also help students to find employment in another local business or enroll in college.”
Surry Community College stands ready to help students who want to complete a credential or degree after completing Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET Program.
“I am so very proud of the many accomplishments of Surry-Yadkin Works,” said Dr. David Shockley, Surry Community College President. “The addition of the FLEET program will allow our region’s stakeholders to serve an amazing group of high school students who have the privilege of attending high school at Altec in Mount Airy.”
Prior funding was awarded by the Golden LEAF Board in April 2017. Surry County Schools was awarded $254,347 to establish a college and career academy to serve Surry County High School students in career pathways targeting advanced manufacturing, health sciences, agriculture, and other in-demand industry employment sectors, called the Next Generation program.
Under the Next Generation program 93 students obtained a minimum of 12 credit hours of college credit or an associate degree; 563 industry-recognized/ third-party credentials were earned, 130 students completed a minimum of 100 hours of work experience through internships or other work-based learning, and 93% of the students either obtained employment in field of study within six months or continue training in their field of study.
The Next Generation Program began in January 2018 and continued through October 2021 before evolving into the expanded Surry-Yadkin Works. Read more about the Next Generation program and Surry-Yadkin Works here.