BCCC Highlights Aviation and Skilled Trades During STEM East’s Industry in Schools Week | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

#13: Competition participants and winners: Jahvier Ford, Jesus Sanchez, Pierre Rogers, Alex Sevilla, Jackson Gibbs, Tyrie Finville, Chris Lewis, Nathaniel Simmons, Luck Cates, and LC Jenkins.

    WASHINGTON, N.C.     As part of STEM East's Industry in Schools Week, Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC) hosted high school students for two hands-on career exploration events on April 11 and April 16, showcasing career opportunities in both aviation and skilled trades.

    Industry in Schools Week is a regional initiative that connects students with real-world career experiences by bringing them into classrooms and industry facilities to engage directly with future career paths. Beaufort CCC contributed to the effort with a regional high school welding competition and an aviation career day in partnership with Washington-Warren Airport.

    Students from Beaufort, Hyde, and Bertie counties toured the college's Aviation Workforce Training Center to try flight simulators and explore aviation careers. At Washington-Warren Airport, they met with professionals from the N.C. Forest Service, Xelevate, Metro Aviation/ECU Health Eastcare, and East Coast Aviation to learn about roles in emergency response, the military, and the private sector.

    On its main campus, the college hosted a regional welding competition with ten participants from Washington County High School, Mattamuskeet Early College High School, Pungo Christian Academy, Columbia High School, and Southside High School. Additional students currently enrolled in Beaufort CCC welding courses attended as observers, learning about industrial technology programs such as Agribusiness Technology, Automotive Systems Technology, Boat Manufacture & Service, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology.

    Top performers received welding helmets and other prizes, while all attendees were treated to lunch and door prizes.

    The college currently employs two welding instructors, Eric Braddy and Garrett McCoy, who teach college-level welding courses at high schools across the region. Students can graduate with a welding certificate or continue at the college to earn a two-year degree.


    STEM East supported both events by covering supplies, meals, transportation, and prizes. The organization partners with school districts, regional businesses, and local governments to align educational experiences with workforce needs across Eastern North Carolina.

    Beaufort CCC serves a four-county region and remains committed to workforce development through accessible, industry-aligned training programs and strong educational partnerships.

• Attila Nemecz
• Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
• Beaufort County Community College
• 5337 U.S. Highway 264 East
• Washington, N.C. 27889
• Ph: 252-940-6387
• Cell: 252-940-8672
• attila.nemecz@beaufortccc.edu