Trident Technical College Expands Future Ready Certificate Program

News Summary

Trident Technical College is increasing enrollment for its Future Ready Certificate program, welcoming high school juniors and seniors from Charleston and Dorchester counties. The program, aimed at guiding students towards careers in trades, has successfully helped its initial participants secure job placements and prepare for technical fields. It combines STEM education with hands-on projects to equip students with essential skills. Support from local industries has made the program accessible at no charge, promoting workforce development and educational opportunity in the region.

Charleston, SC – Trident Technical College is expanding its Future Ready Certificate program to include more students and greater opportunities aimed at guiding high school students toward promising career pathways in trades and technical fields. Starting in the upcoming semester, the program will increase its enrollment capacity from 10 to 20 students and will now welcome high school juniors and seniors from Charleston and Dorchester counties.

The Future Ready Certificate program has shown remarkable success with its initial cohort of students. Nine out of the first ten participants, who completed the program in May, successfully chose career paths following their graduation. A recently graduated student landed an apprenticeship with Boeing, while others plan to study air conditioning and refrigeration or enlist in the military for mechanical assembly training.

The program runs for 18 weeks and consists of four courses that emphasize critical science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts. These courses also focus on essential skills such as problem-solving and communication. Students engage in hands-on projects, including building go-karts, which teach vital skills like precision measuring, basic electricity, circuits, assembly, and data collection.

According to the assistant dean of manufacturing and maintenance at Trident Technical College, the demand for employees in industrial and manufacturing sectors is significant. The Future Ready program plays a crucial role in alleviating workforce shortages by providing practical training and experience to students who may be uncertain about their career directions after high school.

Enrollment in the program not only provides students with valuable hands-on experiences but also helps them earn academic credits that can be applied toward high school graduation and a South Carolina technical college degree. The program targets students who may otherwise not pursue further education, with last year’s data indicating over 4,000 high school graduates in the tri-county area did not continue to public colleges, accounting for over half of all public school seniors.

In addition to classroom learning, students in the Future Ready program have opportunities to tour local employers such as Mercedes-Benz, where they can observe real-world applications of their studies. This exposure can inspire students to pursue further education and specialized training in areas such as automation at institutions like Wofford College.

Funding for the Future Ready program comes through partnerships with the Bosch Community Fund, Volvo, and Boeing, which enables the college to offer access to the program at no charge for students. Boeing has expressed its commitment to cultivating the next generation of skilled workers by engaging with students through such training programs.

As the new semester approaches, an information session about the Future Ready Certificate program will be held for parents and students in the tri-county area. This session is designed to provide essential details and facilitate enrollment, with opening dates for various school districts set for early August.

The expansion of the Future Ready program reflects Trident Technical College’s commitment to addressing workforce needs while helping students build successful career paths in the manufacturing and technical industries.

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Additional Resources

• SC Daily Gazette: Trident Tech Expanding STEM Program
• Wikipedia: Career Education
• Count On 2: Goose Creek High School Trade Skills
• Google Search: Trade Skills in High School
• Forbes: Dual Enrollment Education
• Google Scholar: Dual Enrollment Education
• Business Wire: ISACA Board of Directors Announcement
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Community College