Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation awards $25,000 to the Midlands Technical College Foundation
February 19, 2026
(L-R) Allen Sharpe, Senior Director of Philanthropy, Midlands Technical College Foundation; Dr. Gregory D. Little, Midlands Technical College President; Brandon Ashley, Vice President of Transmission and Delivery, Dominion Energy; Keela Glover, Senior Philanthropy Specialist, Dominion Energy; and Nancy McKinney, AVP for Philanthropy and CEO of the MTC Foundation.
Funding supports hands-on welding training that prepares students for the workforce
The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has awarded $25,000 to the Midlands Technical College Foundation (MTCF) to support advanced welding training that prepares students for careers in South Carolina’s energy, manufacturing, and construction industries.
Dominion Energy’s investment will support welding equipment and hands-on training environments that allow students to practice skills under conditions that mirror active job sites, with an emphasis on safety, precision, and technical expertise. This training is critical for welders entering fields such as energy production, infrastructure maintenance, and industrial construction.
MTC’s welding program operates at full capacity, serving more than 220 credit students each year, as well as 75 students through Corporate and Continuing Education. Support for training and equipment will help ensure students are prepared to meet employer expectations and transition directly into the workforce.
“MTC is grateful for Dominion Energy’s support of workforce training that directly aligns with industry needs,” said Nancy McKinney, CEO of the Midlands Technical College Foundation. “This investment helps students gain the practical experience that reflects the environments they will encounter on the job.”
“Support like this allows Midlands Technical College to deliver the hands-on welding training students need to be successful in the field,” said Dr. Greg Little, president of Midlands Technical College. “By strengthening real-world training environments, we are better preparing graduates for the technical demands of today’s workforce.”
Graduates of MTC’s welding programs consistently achieve strong employment outcomes, entering careers that support South Carolina’s energy and infrastructure needs, with starting wages ranging from $25 to $36 per hour.
“Highly skilled workers, including welders, play an integral role in our ability to provide safe, reliable service to our customers,” said Brandon Ashley, Vice President of Transmission and Delivery for Dominion Energy South Carolina. “We greatly appreciate Midlands Technical College for being a longtime leader in educating and training a workforce that is critically important to South Carolina’s economic vitality.”
About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) provides regulated electricity service to 3.6 million homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and regulated natural gas service to 500,000 customers in South Carolina; is one of the nation’s leading developers and operators of regulated offshore wind and solar power; and is the largest producer of carbon-free electricity in New England. Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed $46.7 million in 2023 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.
About Midlands Technical College Foundation (MTCF)
The MTCF is a 501c3 organization that builds and sustains relationships resulting in charitable gifts that support MTC. Gifts and grants to the MTCF help ensure student access to quality education and training, enhance facilities and equipment, and improve the lives of students, faculty and staff, and the broader Midlands community. More at MIDLANDSTECH.EDU/about/mtc-foundation.
About Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a six campus, two-year comprehensive community college serving Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield counties in South Carolina. The college provides higher education opportunities that stimulate the local economy by generating a world-class workforce and enhancing the social vitality of the community. MIDLANDSTECH.EDU.
