MTC offering free tuition to more students
August 8, 2019
Full scholarships for several Midlands Technical College (MTC) programs means tuition could be free for students enrolling in the fall semester. Eligible programs include welding, mechatronics, machine tool, basic electrical wiring, and industrial electricity. The job market for technically educated, well-trained employees is growing rapidly in South Carolina. Scholarships are available for both academic career courses and corporate and continuing education courses.
“MTC offers these scholarships for students interested in pursuing careers where area manufacturers are looking for new employees,” said Sandra Hackley, MTC’s Associate Vice Provost for Career Programs. “Some of these potential students are currently enrolled in high school courses that could lead straight into these programs.”
Called the Pathways to Manufacturing Careers @ MTC scholarship, this program helps students complete their coursework more quickly while giving them hands-on experience with local businesses as they take classes at MTC.
“Work experience is a key element of the program to prepare students for careers in manufacturing,” said Hackley. “Workforce development in this area is critical to our industries and will impact the future growth and development of the Midlands region.”
Many of MTC’s industry partners have multiple positions and can’t find the skilled employees to fill them. These “middle-skilled” positions often require education and training beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. Middle-skilled careers account for 45 percent of available jobs, but only 29 percent of available workers meet the middle-skilled hiring criteria.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be a resident of Richland, Lexington, or Fairfield county. Students may attend full time or part time. The deadline to apply for Pathways to Manufacturing Careers scholarships is August 20, and the deadline to enroll in MTC’s academic programs is August 16.
“Our overall goal is to create a clear pathway from high school to college and employment that creates a lasting pipeline of talent supporting and growing the manufacturing industry in the Midlands,” said Hackley.
The scholarship application and additional details are available on the college’s website.
About Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a non-profit, six-campus, two-year public college serving Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield counties in South Carolina. MTC enrolls approximately 14,000 credit students annually, making it the fifth-largest provider of higher education in South Carolina and one of the largest providers of transfer students to the University of South Carolina. The Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) program is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, with approximately 14,000 students and provides training to hundreds of area businesses each year. MIDLANDSTECH.EDU
