Roscoe, Texas – Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is excited to join industry leaders, workforce partners, local officials and more to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week at Cisco College in Abilene, Texas, on Monday, November 13th. National Apprenticeship Week, established by the U.S. Department of Labor, is a nationwide celebration that brings together employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers, and government leaders to highlight the value and impact of Registered Apprenticeships.
In recognition of CEN’s remarkable work in rural education and communities, Laura Jones, Workforce Management Analyst from the United States Department of Energy will visit from Washington, D.C. to attend the event at Cisco College. This visit serves as a tribute to CEN’s dedication to empowering rural areas through education and the new Post Secondary Education and Apprenticeship Project, “Edu-REACH” (Rural Education Achievement for Community Hope). The United States Department of Energy is a supporter of energy apprenticeships and work-based learning.
“We are eager to visit rural Texas and see the outstanding experiences CEN is providing for students,” said Laura Jones of US Dept. of Energy. “Rural students are traditionally an underserved population. It is great to see an organization providing opportunities for our nation’s rural students.”
The CEN Rural Hope Revitalization program recognizes the critical importance of nurturing talent within rural communities. By offering local, adult-students the opportunity to pursue degrees without the burden of relocation, Edu-REACH seeks to bridge the educational gap that many rural communities encounter. The project will bolster local economies by ensuring that students can access relevant post-secondary education and apprenticeships in their respective communities.
“We are honored to receive a nod of encouragement from the U.S. Department of Energy for our continuous work in rural education,” said Kim Alexander, CEO of Collegiate Edu-Nation. “It is amazing to see the impact that rural students can have in this vast world. We are excited to provide them the resources and opportunities, including apprenticeships, they need to be successful in their studies and in their future careers.”
CEN is proud to celebrate the success of the first CEN Registered Apprentice, Joey Cook, and his ongoing studies to receive his Energy Auditor Certification. Joey began his initiative during 2022 as CEN districts’ first HVAC Apprentice working for Cary Services. As a graduate of Hamlin Collegiate High School, Joey continued his post secondary education to receive further certification. Joey will be in attendance on November 13, 2023 and join in the celebration of his accomplishments and the accomplishments of Registered Apprenticeship Programs alike.
“We are immensely proud of Joey’s accomplishments, and his success symbolizes the exceptional potential that apprenticeships hold for adult education across the State of Texas,” said Brittany Williams, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Collegiate Edu-Nation. “National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the successes of apprentices like Joey and to reaffirm our commitment to creating opportunities that build thriving rural communities.”
Join CEN in celebrating National Apprenticeship Week in November. Any inquiries regarding the new Edu-REACH Registered Apprenticeship Program can be directed to Brittany Williams at bwilliams@edu-nation.org.
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CEN is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation based in Roscoe in West Texas that has member school districts located throughout rural Texas. CEN plans to spread strategically across every region in Texas and work with students in rural West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Collegiate Edu-Nation – edu-nation.org – is a proven strategy founded because of the belief in the potential of every single young person to achieve a life of choice and impact. The core philosophy is “All means all.” Every student in each CEN district will have the same opportunity to match top opportunities for educational attainment and community development with the students’ high aspirations.
