Summer Careers Academy Graduation

What: The Summer Careers Academy (SCA) Graduation Celebration in honor of the 2023 cohort of the "Building Our Future" skilled trades career training program

When: Friday, August 11, 2023 from 3:30pm-5:30pm

Where: Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel - One Europa Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. Complimentary Parking available on-site!

How:  The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties Foundation is the managing director of Building Our Future, and the program would not be possible without the generous support of the following individuals and organizations:

• Founding Funders: NC Education and Workforce Innovation Commission and The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust

Who: Invitees include the 2023 SCA "Building Our Future" cohort of students (including parents/caregivers) and employers (including direct supervisors and other executives) as well as SCA Steering Committee members, funders, partners (including the school career development coordinators and Chapel Hill Transit), and friends.

Flow: 

• 2:00pm-3:30pm: Pre-Apprentice Presentations
• 3:20pm-3:30pm: All guests check-in and take seats 
• 3:30pm-5:30pm: Graduation Ceremony and Reception with refreshments

(Note: From 2:00pm-3:30pm, the Pre-Apprentices will deliver their final presentations prior to the event and observation is optional for their employers, parents/caregivers, and the SCA Steering Committee.)

Contact: For questions, contact Summer Careers Academy coordinator, Heather Kasey, at 919.357.2878 (cell). Members of the media interested in covering this event and/or the SCA should contact The Chamber Director of Programs and Member Engagement, McKenzie Steagall, at (443) 907-5476 (cell)

Register: There is no fee to attend this event but we ask all participants and guests to register in order to receive updated information related to the event logistics and any follow-up information. 

About Summer Careers Academy: The Summer Careers Academy is an 8-week career training program model that connects residents, especially youth (ages 16-24) who are underrepresented and underserved, with new skills and paid work experiences in compelling career pathways. The vision of the Summer Careers Academy is that all residents in our community have access to exciting, high paying careers and receive support along the way to achieve their dreams, and our community has a dynamic talent pipeline that delivers value for our residents, employers, and economy. The Summer Careers Academy is governed by a Steering Committee made up of employers, educators, government and elected officials, and community activists who work together according to the principles of Collective Impact.

About Building Our Future: The inaugural program of the Summer Careers Academy is "Building Our Future" - an eight week Registered Youth Apprenticeship Program in the skilled trades. The program uses the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core construction curriculum, which prepares students for careers in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, and HVAC-R repair. The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties Foundation is the managing director of Building Our Futures.