Alyssa Schall, Facilities Apprentice and aspiring engineer at Studio TK, is paving the way for women in manufacturing.
Alyssa Schall is 18 and the oldest of five children. Born and raised in Clayton, North Carolina, her roots run deep in the local community. She is pursuing a four-year Johnston College Apprenticeship Program (JCAP) in Applied Engineering. This program enables her to apprentice with a local manufacturing partner in the city of Clayton. Charlie Bell
at Studio TK knows it’s important
to mentor and equip the next generation of talent. “Facilities Management looks a lot different today than it did even five years ago and so do the employees who are responsible for it. We need people who understand the new technologies we now have in place. And importantly, how to resolve issues when these systems go down.”
This year there were 11 participants in the JCAP program and Alyssa was the only female. As a partner company, Studio TK held an open house for all the participants. Companies made their picks and pitch to students, and the candidates then decided where they would like to go. Craig Edwards, Facilities Manager at Studio TK, explains, “We immediately saw the potential Alyssa had – we knew we would be competing against other world-class organizations including Caterpillar, Grifols and Novo Nordisk for her.” Edwards adds, “She’s an interesting, very intelligent person – we saw her and thought, we need to get her, she’s the right fit for our company.” Fortunately, Alyssa also thought Studio TK was the right match. Alyssa says, “This place just felt right from the first time I visited. I knew I would be valued here.”
Jerry Young, Team Lead and Alyssa’s hands-on mentor at Studio TK, acknowledges the talent her generation brings to the table.
“Not only can we teach her, but
she’s bringing to us new ways of thinking and new ideas that will streamline our systems.”
Alyssa’s paid apprenticeship will
result in her earning a journeyman’s license, a rarity for a woman in
this industry. Alyssa adds, “I know many people my age and gender dismiss trades as a career. But we
need trades, and I’m lucky, because
in trades I have found job security,
and fulfillment.” Reflecting on Alyssa’s time to date at Studio TK, Jerry concludes, “