GE Aerospace is marking the first anniversary of its Wilmington, North Carolina apprenticeship programme after more than 80 apprentices completed training since it launched in August 2025. The scheme prepares participants for CNC machinist roles linked to production of critical engine parts at the company’s Wilmington site, combining work at the facility with five weeks at Cape Fear Community College and additional on-the-job mentoring.
Apprentices are employed full time by GE Aerospace while their tuition is covered through North Carolina’s NCEdge programme. The company has positioned the initiative as part of its effort to expand the skilled labour pool needed to support aerospace manufacturing capacity in Wilmington. Mark Moon, who leads the site, is among the executives associated with the programme.
The apprenticeship pipeline is designed to address a persistent need across aerospace manufacturing for trained machinists capable of supporting engine-part production. By tying classroom instruction to factory-floor experience, the Wilmington programme gives GE Aerospace a local training route for roles that are difficult to fill quickly through the external labour market.