COLUMBIA — Midlands Technical College Expands Construction Trades Program
Major Funding Boost
Midlands Technical College is set to enhance its construction trades program thanks to a historic $1 million grant from the Lowe’s Foundation. This grant marks the largest single corporate donation in the college’s history. This funding is part of a broader initiative through the Lowe’s Foundation’s Gable Grants program, which aims to equip more workers with the skills needed in various skilled trades.
Rising Demand in South Carolina
The program expansion comes at a crucial time for South Carolina, which was noted as the fastest-growing state in the nation in 2023, experiencing a population increase of 1.7% according to U.S. Census data. The state saw a surge in construction activities, with nearly 42,500 housing units built, from single-family homes to apartment complexes, over the same period. Additionally, the construction industry’s employment rose nearly 4%, equating to around 4,300 new jobs in the last month alone.
Specific Needs Addressed
With over 4,000 job openings in various construction trades across the state last month, Midlands Technical College is responding to an urgent workforce need. Robbie Sharpe, the director of Midlands Tech’s building construction technology program, emphasized, “There is significant demand for well-prepared building construction program graduates, and through this partnership with Lowe’s, we are addressing a critical workforce shortage here in the Midlands of South Carolina.”
Plans for Expansion
The college plans to invest the grant funding in two key areas: establishing a new training space at its Airport Campus in West Columbia and updating its tools and equipment. This initiative will allow the college to effectively double its teaching capacity, ensuring that more students can receive quality training in construction trades.
Recognition of Training Programs
The Lowe’s Foundation’s Gable Grants program awarded this grant to Midlands Technical College as part of its commitment to support educational institutions that aim to fill the skills gap in their communities. Janice Dupre, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation, remarked, “With enrollments rising at vocationally focused schools, these community colleges are blossoming arenas for entrepreneurship and economic mobility.”
Impact on Local Economy
Midlands Technical College operates campuses across Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield counties and is the only one among South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges to receive this grant. By expanding its construction program, the college is not just investing in education but also creating pathways for economic growth in the region.
Future Goals
With plans to continue investing in education and skills training, the Lowe’s Foundation has committed to distributing $25 million through its Gable Grants program, with aspirations to double this amount over the next four years. This strategic approach aims to not only address immediate workforce needs but also to support long-term economic stability in South Carolina and beyond.
This significant development at Midlands Technical College illustrates the ongoing effort to bridge the skills gap in the construction trades, providing students with opportunities that meet the current demands of the labor market.
