ABC-VA’s Sherrie Dickerson Honored as Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador at DOLI’s 85th Anniversary Celebration
Sherrie Dickerson, ABC-VA Education Coordinator
ABC-VA is proud to announce Education Coordinator, Sherrie Dickerson, has been honored as a Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador.
The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry celebrated 85 years of Registered Apprenticeship on Thursday, January 26, 2023. Included in the celebration were awards for Outstanding Apprentices, Apprenticeship Ambassadors, Service Awards, and High-Volume Sponsors.
ABC-VA’s own Apprenticeship Director, Sherrie Dickerson, was honored as a Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador. Sherrie was selected because of her passion and energies to help individuals, families, neighborhoods, towns, and the Commonwealth. Since her arrival with ABC-VA in March of 2020, Sherrie has been a pillar of strength and leadership of the programs in Richmond, managing related instruction for over 500 apprentices each year in Central Virginia. In a unique environment, Sherrie arrives before classes begin at 7 am each morning and does not stop until she knows that all of her students and instructors have been taken care of.
In 2022, Sherrie fielded two competitors in ABC National’s Craft Competition with the HVAC competitor bringing home the Silver Medal. In 2023, she will send five competitors to the NCC. Sherrie takes time each day to talk to students and instructors personally about their lives inside and outside of the classroom. She communicates with employers on a regular basis to keep them abreast of what is happening in the classroom to make sure their instruction there is reinforced on the job. She does it all with a smile because she is truly proud of them and wants everyone to succeed.
Several ABC-VA members were also recognized for their apprenticeship accomplishments and service awards. Honorees included were:
M.C. Dean, Inc., celebrating 71 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor and having the Largest Registered Apprenticeship Program in the Region (Loudoun County). Additionally, Erin May was honored as a Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador
Carter Machinery, celebrating 57 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor and having the Largest Registered Apprenticeship Program in the Region (Hanover County)
Atlantic Constructors, Inc., celebrating 67 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor. On hand to receive this award were Terrence Kerner, Heather Tippett, and Bill Cooper
Bay Electric Company, celebrating 54 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor
BUHL Electric Co., celebrating 51 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor
We thank Sherrie and these special ABC-VA members for their dedication and commitment to our workforce.
As Commissioner Gary Pan stated, “Registered Apprenticeship was first established in Virginia with the signing of the Virginia Apprenticeship Act in 1938. It has been a training system that produces highly skilled workers to meet the demands of employers competing in a global economy, through a combination of on-the-job training and related technical instruction. It is a ‘win-win’ approach to workforce development for employers and employees, while rebuilding the Virginia Economy. Registered Apprenticeship is an ideal model for employers to develop their current and future workforce by providing on-the-job training and selecting occupation specific Related Technical Instruction.”
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