Leading global aerospace firm, Ontic, whose Creedmoor site is home to their well-known brands Firstmark, Twin Commander, and Metro Merlin, has launched its first apprenticeship program at the facility in partnership with Vance Granville Community College (VGCC) and Granville County Chamber of Commerce.

Working closely with both partners and taking experience from their existing early careers programs in the UK and Los Angeles, this new apprenticeship program provides exciting career opportunities for young people in the local Raleigh area. The first two apprentices to be employed are Omar Espinoza and Joey Richmond who both study Mechatronics Engineering Technology at VGCC.

Speaking of his decision to join an apprenticeship, Joey said: “Our Department Chair at college is a big advocate for getting people into the workplace while learning. He really encouraged us to go for the opportunity at Ontic which so far hasn't disappointed. We've been really lucky to be able to get a much broader understanding of how the business works, as well as building our technical understanding."

Adding to this, Omar explained that he went to a job fair and saw lots of people crowded around the Ontic recruitment stand which piqued his interest. "I joined the crowd, heard about the apprenticeship and what Ontic offers and decided to apply. I've always been interested in working in aerospace and want to be an aerospace engineer in the future. Being able to earn while studying has also been a huge bonus!"

Contracted for 6,000 hours across the apprenticeship, it’ll take around three years for them to complete their apprenticeship and once completed, they’ll be qualified in a range of electro-mechanical competencies. They work at Ontic Monday-Friday but spend some of the working week in college classes which gives them the best of both worlds.

Commenting on why they have launched this apprenticeship program, Joshua Florio, General Manager of Ontic’s Creedmoor site, said: “As an industry, aerospace has a well known skills shortage and as a company we want to do everything we can to futureproof our talent pipeline because of the fantastic growth trajectory we’re on. We’ve nearly doubled our headcount at this site alone since 2019 and have lots more exciting plans on the horizon; this provides great experience for people wanting to start a career in aerospace, as well as great job security. We’re very excited to have Omar and Joey on board and I look forward to seeing them flourish over these next three years.”

Ontic are looking to recruit more people onto their apprenticeship program in Creedmoor in the coming months. If you know someone who’d be interested, direct them to Ontic’s website: ontic.com/earlycareers for more information and to speak to their early careers team.

About Ontic: Ontic is a leading global aerospace OEM, providing complex engineered parts and repair services for established aircraft in the defense and commercial market.

Boasting a portfolio of 8,000+ top-level assemblies, Ontic is proud to work with our customers around the globe, with our team of experts delivering a wide variety of critical technologies, including fuel measurement systems, as well as a range of avionics, cockpit instruments and controls.

With over 50 years of product manufacturing and aftermarket support experience, Ontic has operations across North America, the UK, and Asia providing strategic worldwide support to civil and defense customers when and where it is needed.

Contact Natalie Doel

Global Marcomms Lead

T: +44 7564 575303

E: natalie.doel@ontic.com

W: www.ontic.com

GRANVILLE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION: Granville County government is seeking local students to participate in the 2025 Summer Civic Leadership program. Selected students will have the opportunity to learn more about careers in public service by working in various county departments.

Students who successfully complete this program will gain valuable insight into how their local government operates while exploring possible career paths. Summer Civic Leadership is a nine-week program and students must complete 120 hours to be eligible for an educational stipend. Selection to the program is based on a
competitive application and interview process. Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors that live in Granville County are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the program and to access the application, visit the Granville County website: www.granvillecounty.org/168/Summer-Civic-Leadership-Program

Applications are due Friday, April 25. Interviews will be held on the afternoons of April 30 and May 1.

For additional information, please contact the Granville County Administration Office at 919-693-5240 or email Karen.Evans@GranvilleCounty.org and Jessica.Todd@GranvilleCounty.org.

Granville County Senior Services Director Kathy May was recognized by the North Carolina Association on Aging (NCAOA) with the Rock Star Award at their annual conference and awards luncheon. NCAOA Rock Star Award recognizes one Chief Executive/Administrative Officer for their quality of leadership and organizational management they provide to their organization and to the aging network.

May’s accomplishments during her tenure with Granville County, which began in 1987, include overseeing the renovation of the former Orange Street School (the current location of the Oxford Department of Social Services office) to serve as the first dedicated senior center facility in Granville County. She has since shepherded the department as they opened new centers to serve southern and northern Granville in Creedmoor (1989), and Stovall (1996). May has helped develop a county-wide service model for Senior Services that includes continuing education, fitness classes, technology training, Medicare enrollment assistance, in-home aide services, housing improvements, and so much more. She has also served as a mentor and teacher for her staff and other senior services professionals in the region.

At their annual conference and awards luncheon in Chapel Hill last month, the NCAOA Board of Directors presented Kathy with the Rock Star Award in recognition to her 38 years of service to the Granville County and senior citizens in North Carolina.

For more information about programs and services offered at the Granville County Senior Center (107 Lanier Street, Oxford), the South Granville Senior Center (114 Douglas Drive, Creedmoor), and the North Granville Senior Center (318 US Highway 15, Stovall; visit the Granville County website: www.granvillecounty.org/504/Senior-Services 

GRANVILLE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:

The Granville County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, March 3, at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center. The meeting featured a recognition of the Butner-Stem Middle School Boys Soccer team.

Chair Jimmy Gooch recognized the Butner-Stem Middle School Boys Soccer team on behalf of the Granville County Board of Commissioners for winning the 2024 Middle School Athletic Conference (MAC-10) championship. The team is coached by Ed Sosa, Buono Salvatore, Jr. and Melisa Balas. Coach Sosa recognized his players for their hard work throughout the championship season.

Other business conducted by the Board of Commissioners on March 3 included:

• Receiving the state of the county health report in observance of the 50th anniversary of Granville-Vance Public Health by GVPH Director Lisa Harrison. Key accomplishments in 2023 included Expansion of School-Based Oral Health programs to ensure improved dental care for children, a recognition for excellence in breastfeeding support and high-risk pregnancy care through state awards, and the launch of the “THRIVe” program - a $4M initiative to enhance youth mental health services.

• Receiving an update from Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start Early Childhood Systems Director Dr. Linda Frederickson. FGV Smart Start is one of 75 Smart Start partnerships serving all 100 counties in North Carolina. FVG Smart Start focuses on providing resources to support children, parents, and educators. Dr. Frederickson introduced Rootle, a new 24/7 educational channel for kids ages 2 through 8 produced by PBS NC. More information is available here: www.pbsnc.org/watch/rootle-pbs-kids livestream/

• Approving the purchase of fifteen (15) body cameras for the Sheriff’s Office under a five-year contract. First year expenses of $33,994.01 will be drawn from the US Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture funds and expenses for the remaining four years will be drawn from the county’s general fund.

• Approving the purchase of forty (40) in-car camera systems under a five-year contract at an annual cost of $82,250.33. First year expenses will be drawn from the US Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture funds and expenses from the remaining four years will be drawn from the county’s general fund.

• Denying a request to reverse a late tax payment interest charge due statutory limitations on such a request.

• Approving the transfer of ownership of retired K9 Lena to her handler, Sergeant Sam Faucette.

• Approving the surplus and future sales of three vehicles owned by the Sheriff’s Office that have reached the end of their useful life.

• Approving updates to the Granville County State of Emergency Ordinance to clearly define emergency powers, who has the authority to declare a State of Emergency and establish guidelines for violations of the ordinance.

• Approving a statewide mutual aid agreement with North Carolina Emergency Management.

• Approving Tax Refunds, Releases, and Write-Offs for January 24, 2025, through February 17, 2025.

The next regular meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17 at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center.

To stay informed about upcoming meetings of the Board of Commissioners, visit the Granville County website at www.granvillecounty.org where you can sign up for the “Sunshine List” and follow the county on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GranvilleCountyGov.