Cat Financial Apprentices, Nashville State Grads Complete Paid Program

A celebratory ceremony was held at Cat Financial to honor two graduates of Nashville State’s School of STEM Information Technology program, who have been working through a 20-month Information Technology apprenticeship at the company.

Justin Crowley and Stephanie Pedigo are the second cohort to finish the paid apprenticeship.

The first cohort, Jorge Rosario Agosto and Ramiro Valdez, also successfully completed the program and have since transitioned into full-time associate-level positions at Cat Financial.

Meanwhile, the third cohort, Richard DeBusk and Jordan Moores, is nearing the halfway point of the apprenticeship.

“We are excited to celebrate Justin and Stephanie as they reach another milestone,” said Dr. Johannah Williams, Nashville State’s vice president of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development.

“With each celebration, Nashville State is fulfilling its mission to connect students, employers, and communities through high-quality, innovative experiences. We are grateful to Cat Financial for being wonderful and forward-thinking community partners.”

Launched in January 2023 with the support of Apprenticeship TN within the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, the apprenticeship offers Nashville State students a valuable opportunity to earn credit toward their degree while gaining thousands of hours of paid, hands-on experience in the field of Information Technology.

Tyson Norman, Cat Financial’s Chief Information Officer, commended Stephanie and Justin during the ceremony, telling those in attendance, “They represent you well.”

Norman emphasized the importance of paying it forward, encouraging the graduates to help future participants in the program.

In addition to providing students with practical skills, earning a paycheck, and a pathway to full-time employment, the apprenticeship serves as a strategic talent pipeline for Cat Financial.

During the ceremony, Pedigo, a mother of three who used the Tennessee Reconnect grant to cover tuition costs, noted the challenges of managing both work and school, as well as the rewards that followed.

“I met so many people at school who were working full-time jobs and going to school to further their education so that they could get the career and life that they wanted.  It’s not always easy, but it goes by so quickly and the reward is greater than the sacrifice.”

Both Pedigo and Crowley are continuing their education at Columbia Southern University, working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.

At Nashville State, the Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education works hand-in-hand with the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to ensure that students receive the support they need to succeed in their studies and beyond.