Press Release                                                                        

Date: December 14, 2020

Contact: Karen Potter, kpotter2@tctc.edu

Tri-County Technical College Approves Four New Career Certificates

Pendleton, SC – The Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) Commission approved four new certificate programs today aimed at helping develop skilled workers who can fill in-demand jobs within the information technology industry and the early care and education field.

“South Carolina’s workforce is one of its strongest assets, and Tri-County is committed to providing the education and training opportunities needed to ensure our students are skilled and ready to fill the high-demand jobs in our region,” said President Galen DeHay, Ph.D. “All four of these certificate programs help us address the demands of local business and industry while also putting students on a path to earning a high-quality credential that can lead to a meaningful career.”

 Information technology occupations are growing at a rapid pace. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the role of Cisco network administrator is expected to grow by 4% and the role of computer technician is expected to grow by 8% over the next 10 years.

Tri-County’s new Cisco Network Administrator Certificate program provides students the opportunity to develop basic skills in network administration, including Cisco router and switch configuration, security, maintenance, and troubleshooting. In addition to earning a Tri-County certificate, students have the opportunity to acquire a Cisco-Certified Network Association Certification.

The new Computer Technician Certificate program provides students the opportunity to develop basic skills in the most essential information technology tasks, including preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, network operation, and basic web development. In addition to earning a Tri-County certificate, students have the opportunity to acquire two additional certifications: CompTIA A+ and Microsoft Office Specialist. Plus, this program is part of a defined career pathway, which means high school students can take college-level courses for dual-credit.

“Nearly every company needs information technology specialists to keep their business running smoothly,” said Jackie Blakley, Ph.D., dean of business and public services. “At Tri-County, we provide a career-focused education that includes hands-on learning and instruction from highly-skilled and experienced faculty. When our students leave Tri-County, they are prepared to hit the ground running.”

Both of Tri-County’s early care and education certificate programs can be completed within one year and focus on teaching best-practices to enhance the learning environment for a diverse group of learners.

 The new Early Care and Education Assistant Certificate program prepares students to support developmentally-appropriate experiences for young children in high-quality, early-learning environments, while the Early Care and Education Special Needs Certificate program prepares students to work in a range of settings that provide inclusive care, including as an assistant in a special needs classroom within a public school.

 “Our early care and education courses and onsite placements provide great learning experiences that help students better understand the physical, emotional, language and behavioral development of infants, toddlers and school-aged children,” said Dr. Blakley. “These students are already in high demand with 100% job placement rates.”

 Enrollment for all four certificate programs begins in spring 2021 with coursework beginning fall 2021. Financial aid is available, including SC WINS scholarships, which are specifically designed to address workforce shortages in South Carolina.

To learn more about the certificate programs and other offerings, visit tctc.edu. 

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About Tri-County Technical College

Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina, enrolls more than 9,000 students annually and offers more than 70 major fields of study, including computer technology, industrial electronics, mechatronics, nursing, and university transfer programs. Tri-County boasts the highest student success rate among two-year colleges in the state and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. To learn more, visit tctc.edu.