Meet CFCC’s first Corning Technician Pipeline graduate: Luis Martinez
Luis has accomplished a remarkable feat by becoming the first graduate of Cape Fear Community College’s (CFCC) Corning Technician Pipeline Program. This apprenticeship program collaborates with Corning and six North Carolina community colleges, including CFCC. The program is designed to provide students with hands-on work experience while they attend school, allowing them to develop practical skills and gain industry-relevant knowledge.
NEW INNOVATIVE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
One of the unique aspects of the program is that Corning pays 100% of the tuition, books, and fees for students to earn their associate degree in Mechatronics. This not only provides financial support to students but also ensures that they are receiving a top-quality education that is tailored to the needs of the industry. After graduation, students are guaranteed a full-time position with Corning, allowing them to launch their careers immediately and use their newly acquired skills in the real world.
PRIORITIZING COSTS AND PROGRAMS
Initially enrolling at CFCC as a dual-enrolled student, Luis embarked on his higher education journey at a young age. As he pursued his high school diploma at Heide Trask, Luis simultaneously trained in Automotive Customizing and Welding Technology at CFCC. However, he wasn’t done pursuing his career options.
After high school, Luis enrolled at CFCC because he was aware of the great transfer programs offered at CFCC, which allow students to transfer their credits to many universities around North Carolina. Additionally, he found the tuition cost to be very affordable. Luis also found his passion in CFCC’s Mechatronics Engineering Technology.
DISCOVERING A PASSION
While in CFCC’s Mechatronics program, Luis was introduced to the Corning Technician Pipeline Program. Having developed a passion for mechatronics, Luis applied and was accepted into the program.
“This may be a little bias, but I think that the Mechatronics Engineering Technology program has to be the best program that CFCC has to offer,” Luis commented. “Although all my courses have been equally important, my favorite class was the Programmable Logic Controller Class. This class taught me a lot about machine programming in the industrial setting and it has prepared me for on-the-job challenges.”
THE POWER OF EDUCATIONAL AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
Luis hopes that his success in this program inspires other students to consider a career in the high-tech industry. He believes the collaboration between CFCC and Corning demonstrates the power of partnership when educational institutions and industry leaders work together.
“My experience at CFCC has been one that I will not forget,” shared Luis. “I have discovered so many things along the way that have helped me to be successful both in the classroom setting and on the job.”
Luis has a clear plan after graduation: to utilize the knowledge he has acquired at Cape Fear Community College in his job at the Corning Optical Communications plant in Wilmington. Being an intern at Corning Incorporated for the past two years, Luis is eager to apply his knowledge as a full-time employee.
