On National Apprenticeship Day, April 30, 2025, Ziehl-Abegg isn’t just celebrating a program—it’s celebrating people. People like Joshua Baxley, who walked through the doors of the company as a curious apprentice and now helps design next-generation airflow systems as a Jr. Project Engineer at the company’s state-of-the-art North American headquarters in Winston-Salem.
Joshua’s journey is one of many that illustrates how apprenticeships are more than training—they’re transformation.
“Being part of Ziehl-Abegg’s apprenticeship program gave me more than technical skills—it gave me confidence, mentorship, and a path to a career I love,” Baxley said. “It wasn’t just a job; it was a launchpad.”
Joshua’s hard work earned him national recognition in 2024 as a Trailblazer Apprentice, part of the Department of Labor’s Apprentice Trailblazer Initiative designed to increase accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship; engage industry in new and emerging sectors; and expand pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and degree apprenticeship across America.
Ziehl-Abegg’s apprenticeship program is designed to turn potential into profession. Led by Layel Burton, the company’s Apprenticeship Coordinator, the program offers hands-on training, real-world experience, and pathways to full-time careers in engineering, production, and beyond.
“Our apprentices inspire me every day,” said Burton. “They show up ready to learn, to contribute, and to grow. Watching them evolve into professionals who drive innovation—it’s one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.”
With roots in Germany and a growing presence in North America, Ziehl-Abegg sees its apprentices as essential to the company’s long-term vision.
“We can’t build the future without investing in the people who will lead it,” said Jimmy Mitchell, Managing Director. “Our apprentices bring curiosity and drive, and in return, we provide a place where they can build a career—not just a job.”
This year’s celebration also comes at a pivotal moment for workforce development, both in North Carolina and across the United States. On March 25, Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order creating the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, a statewide initiative focused on aligning education, training, and high-growth career opportunities.
“Our state’s greatest asset is our people,” said Governor Stein. “To invest in our future, we must invest in our people. No state will outwork North Carolina when it comes to developing our workforce.”
At the national level, workforce development also remains a priority. On April 23, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to apprenticeships, with a goal of bringing 1 million new apprentices into the U.S. workforce.
Elizabeth Minehart
Ziehl-Abegg, Inc Marketing Manager
Cell +1 (336) 554-3308
Elizabeth.Minehart@ziehl-abegg.us
Together, these actions reflect a growing recognition of apprenticeships as a vital tool for bridging skills gaps, strengthening economies, and creating meaningful career pathways.
Ziehl-Abegg applauds this effort and sees it as affirmation of the work being done through its own apprenticeship program.
“It’s encouraging to see these initiatives echo the values we live by at Ziehl-Abegg,” said Burton. “When we connect learning with real-world opportunity, we empower people—and communities—to thrive.”
Apprentices have gone on to become engineers, team leaders, and subject matter experts—many of whom played a key role in launching the company’s award-winning Winston-Salem facility. The program continues to grow in partnership with local schools and technical institutions, helping bridge the skilled trades gap in North Carolina and beyond.
This National Apprenticeship Day, Ziehl-Abegg honors the learners who became leaders—and invites the next generation to imagine what’s possible when education meets opportunity.
About Ziehl-Abegg Inc.:
Ziehl-Abegg, Inc is the North American subsidiary of Ziehl-Abegg based in Künzelsau, Germany. It is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC with over 350 employees. Additionally, it has 9 sales offices in the US, 3 sales offices in Canada and 1 sales office in Monterrey, Mexico.
Ziehl-Abegg is one of the leading global companies in the field of ventilation, control and drive technology. In the 1950s, Ziehl-Abegg established the basis for modern fan drives: external rotor motors which even today are still seen as state-of-the-art worldwide. Another area of business is electric motors which provide the power, for example, for elevators, medical applications (computer tomography equipment) or deep-sea underwater vehicles.
The high-tech company has an impressive innovative capability. The company has a global workforce of 5,000 spread between 17 production plants, 30 companies and 117 sales locations. The products, approx. 30,000 in all, are sold in more than 100 countries. Turnover totals 955 million euros.
Emil Ziehl founded the company in Berlin in 1910 as a manufacturer of electric motors. After World War II the company’s headquarters were relocated to southern Germany. Ziehl-Abegg SE is not a listed company but instead is family-owned.
For more information go to https://www.ziehl-abegg.com/en-us
The post From Apprentice to Engineer: Ziehl-Abegg Celebrates National Apprenticeship Day with Stories of Growth and Opportunity first appeared on HVAC Insider.
