Greensboro Water Resources Department provides perfect apprenticeship opportunity for GTCC duo
Published on: September 29, 2025
Three years ago, when LaMetria Johnson recruited two new apprentices for the City of Greensboro’s Water Resources Department through Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP), she set out to ensure they would be a perfect fit.
Gisselle Gonzalez-Ventura and Yahir Briones-Miranda, both recent GTCC graduates, blended perfectly into the department’s work force when they came onboard. They have soaked up every learning opportunity like a sponge, proven to be disciples of hard work, and have become adoptive grandchildren to all the workers.
“We went to high schools to pick talent, and they fit us; we fit them,” said Johnson. “The way the employees have taken to them, it’s like uncles and aunts and grandparents. They have become very protective.”
Gonzalez-Ventura and Briones-Miranda were the center of attention at a party in their honor at the water resources department, and for good reason.
“These are the first (apprentices) to graduate. They have been with us for three years and have graduated from college. We wanted to celebrate them as the first students to get their degrees while with us,” said Johnson, adding the water resources department has been working with the GAP program for apprentices for several years.
Johnson said the pair of apprentices were like sponges once they got on the job.
“They are go-getters. In no time they were doing wiring and conduit.” Johnson said.
Gonzalez-Ventura attended the Academy at Smith in high school and focused on the electrical trade career path while there. After graduation, GTCC was at the top of her list to continue those studies. It was a decision for which she will be forever grateful.
“Oh, I love it,” she said of her classroom and on-the-job-training experiences. “The hands-on work and learning is really fun to me and there is so much to learn about at a water plant. Everyone’s willing to teach me everything they know. I really appreciate the opportunity I’ve got and I’m going to make the most of it.”
GAP is a consortium of employers in a variety of industries, including advanced manufacturing, HVACR, automotive, information technology, supply chain management, mechatronics and electrical systems, and pharmacy technology. The GAP program allows high school students to start promising careers while they earn their associates degree at GTCC. They are paid a competitive salary and receive benefits.
Briones-Miranda shares how the mentorship from colleagues in the City of Greensboro’s Water Resources Department has been critical in his experience through the program.
“These mentors’ guidance has not only accelerated my understanding of the projects’ objectives but also equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute effectively and confidently. As a result, I was able to quickly overcome the initial challenges and become a valuable asset to both the GAP and Water Resources teams, consistently delivering high quality results and excessing expectations.”
The program offered Gonzalez-Ventura and Briones-Miranda a wide range of learning opportunities, including many life lessons.
Johnson says the two apprentices have trained in “basic electrician type jobs, the assembly of electrical raceways and conduit systems, testing of electrical equipment, making sure computer systems are maintained, installing circuits, and working in collaboration with engineers and contractors.”
Gonzalez-Ventura and Briones-Miranda have been proof-perfect, Johnson said, of how well apprenticeships work.
“It’s like having regular fulltime employees … both sides are committed and invested. If you get apprentices in the right position, you can see the reward. When you look at the reward, you don’t feel it is a gamble when it is done correctly. The benefits are very clear for the apprentices. It may not make sense to them now, but they realize with time they are setting themselves up for a good career.”
The pair have one more year in the GAP program before their apprenticeships end and they earn their journeyman certificates. When that time comes, Gonzalez-Ventura hopes she can begin her career where she learned her trade.
“It’s hard to put into words … how thankful I am that I don’t have any debt,” said Gonzalez-Ventura. “I’m very glad I don’t have anything to repay. I plan on repaying the city by staying on the job where I am.”
For more information on apprenticeship programs at GTCC, visit gtcc.edu/academics/apprenticeship/index.php.
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