RCC Alum Seth Bullard, Lumbee Holdings, receive awards from ApprenticeshipNC
Robeson Community College has a thriving apprenticeship program, and now officials can say it’s an award-winning program as well.
“I am finding out that apprenticeship is one of the best kept secrets in this state and this nation,” stated George Pate, the apprenticeship coordinator at Robeson Community College. “We are trying to get the word out to our employers and to our soon-to-be employees that apprenticeship works.”
Pate’s efforts seem to be working.
Earlier this month, Lumbee Holdings, Inc. was recognized by ApprenticeshipNC as the 2024 Outstanding Registered Apprenticeship Program. Lumbee Holdings joined the apprenticeship program with Robeson Community College in 2022, hiring three apprentices – Seth Bullard, Benjamin Brooks, and Aaron Lowry. Seth was also recognized, and named as the 2024 Outstanding Registered Apprentice. The awards were given during the ApprenticeshipNC 2024 Annual Conference held in Winston-Salem at the Benton Convention Center.
Lumbee Holdings, Inc.
“Lumbee Holdings, Inc. exhibits tremendous pride in their program, eagerly sharing the accomplishments of their apprentices, encouraging apprentices to continue advancing their skills and education, and creating welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds to gain employable skills,” a release from ApprenticeshipNC states. “Furthermore, their leadership proactively promotes opportunities to build a diverse workforce. Lumbee Holdings, Inc.’s program produces well trained, reliable, driven talent that will bolster both their own workforce and support their community.”
ApprenticeshipNC goes on to say that it believes “the work they are doing in registered apprenticeship is, quite simply, outstanding.”
“It is an honor to be named the Outstanding Registered Apprenticeship program and to have our work recognized at such a high level,” stated CEO Joshua D. Malcolm. “Apprenticeships create a skilled workforce, which in turn becomes a powerful tool to drive workforce and economic development…As the CEO, I felt it was time to explore an apprenticeship program that pairs on-the-job training with what is being learned in the classroom, and so far, the results have been amazing. My only regret is that I wish we had started this many years ago.”
Caleb A. Malcolm, who serves as Company President for Lumbee Tribe Enterprises, LLC, agrees.
“The apprenticeship program gives us the flexibility necessary to grow as a company,” stated Caleb A. Malcolm. “With any growing business – a small business with multiple entities or just one large business – as revenue increases, businesses want to grow at a measured pace. The apprenticeship program is a way to do just that.”
Seth Bullard
Lumbee Holding, Inc apprentice Seth Bullard, a graduate of Robeson Community College, was also recognized, being named ApprenticeshipNC’s Outstanding Registered Apprentice for 2024.
“[Seth] inspires others toward excellence through his commitment to continuous personal and professional growth, meticulous attention to detail, compassion, and the way he embraces adversity,” stated ApprenticeshipNC.
Seth graduated from Robeson Community College with Distinction in May 2023, earning his Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Network Management, and also earned Certificates in Information Technology and Cisco Networking Academy. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at UNC Pembroke.
“I couldn’t believe that I won, it was a shock,” stated Bullard. “It is truly an honor and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve as an apprentice for Lumbee Holdings, Inc. and I’m thankful for all that I learned at Robeson Community College… my instructors really cared about me and guided me, and when this opportunity came up, it truly changed the course of my life in a positive direction.”
When asked why Seth was nominated, George Pate had this to say.
“Seth is everything that Apprenticeship is about, and he is just an outstanding young man with a good story,” Pate said. “During his tenure as a student at RCC, Seth really shined, Seth had involvement with the Lumbee Tribe being a Native American student and we just connected the dots together, so he started working with Lumbee Holdings as an apprentice in cybersecurity technology.”
To the best of their knowledge, Jamie Lowery with Lumbee Holdings, Inc. says that “Seth is one of the first Native American registered apprentices to be working for a federal contractor.”
That’s a fact that Bullard doesn’t take for granted.
“As an Indian kid, you’re kind of given like this shielded view of what you can do, because you’re an Indian,” Bullard said. “This has been big for me, as well as people around us to see that little Indian kids can do bigger things, they can work for federal contractors at 18, 19, 20 years old, so I think that’s pretty crazy, for me it is at least.”
Being a role model for others and taking his role with Lumbee Holdings seriously has shown his employer and co-workers how responsible, dedicated and loyal he is to the company.
“Seth’s personality and his personal goals fit well with what we were trying to accomplish with the teammates that were already on the staff,” stated Caleb A. Malcolm. “That’s what makes Seth a unique attribute and a key attribute to our team.”
RCC President Melissa Singler applauds Lumbee Holdings, Inc and Seth Bullard on this significant, remarkable achievement of excellence.
“We commend Lumbee Holdings, Inc. and Seth Bullard on being recognized for their outstanding efforts in the apprenticeship program,” stated Singler. “We extend congratulations to both on their accomplishments and look forward to continuing the partnership established through the ApprenticeshipNC program.”
About ApprenticeshipNC
Recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor, ApprenticeshipNC is the State Apprenticeship Agency operating under the North Carolina Community College System. ApprenticeshipNC works to support North Carolina employers in building and retaining an adaptable, skilled, and efficient workforce through the registration of apprenticeship programs across North Carolina. With the assistance of ApprenticeshipNC, employers develop registered apprenticeship programs tailored to meet their workforce needs through structured on-the-job learning, related classroom instruction, and a progressive wage scale. Learn more about ApprenticeshipNC here.
About Lumbee Holdings, Inc.
Lumbee Holdings, Inc. was established in May 2011 with the strategic focus of sourcing and providing the necessary services to ensure the mission success of its industry and government customers. Lumbee Holdings, Inc. is the for-profit arm of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and consists of a diverse family of companies serving federal agency partners around the world. With the support of the Board of Directors, Lumbee Holdings, Inc. has grown as an organization to include four subsidiaries (Lumbee Tribe Enterprises, LLC; Lumbee Federal Solutions, LLC; Lumbee 56, LLC; and Lumbee Support Solutions, LLC) each with its own distinct offerings of products and talent. Learn more about Lumbee Holdings, Inc. here.
