Dorchester Today

Trident Technical College issued the following announcement on July 29. 

After moving most classes online, employing new technologies and developing new teaching methodologies during the pandemic, Trident Technical College is not going back to business as usual this fall.

“Trident Tech students can anticipate a wider variety of course format offerings than ever before,” said Dr. Cathy Almquist, vice president for education at Trident Tech. “The TTC faculty are enthusiastic about employing the lessons learned during the pandemic to create the best possible learning environment while improving the accessibility and flexibility of a TTC education.”

In addition to offering traditional face-to-face classes this fall, the college has expanded its hybrid offerings, which combine traditional lecture instruction with online learning, and added additional fully online sections. The college developed two new methodologies this past year, scheduled online meetings and open labs, that will be employed again this fall. Like online courses, students in scheduled online meetings are not required to come to campus, but like traditional classes these classes meet virtually on scheduled days at specified times. Open labs allow students the opportunity to schedule times to perform hands-on lab skills.

The college has also expanded its minimester offerings, with four three-week terms available this fall. The three-week minimesters are an addition to the college’s normal seven-week and 14-week class options. Minimesters begin Aug. 23, Sept. 21, Oct. 19 and Nov. 15.

Many students will be able to attend Trident Tech tuition-free this fall. By combining different sources of financial aid, the college is offering more than 70 tuition-free programs, including the college’s new Commercial Truck Driving and Police Pre-Academy Training programs.

Summerville residents who plan to take in-person classes this fall will have the opportunity to stay closer to home with the opening of the college’s new Dorchester Campus in the Oakbrook area of Summerville. The recently opened campus on Dorchester Road features two science labs, two HVAC labs, and general education classrooms. The Dorchester Campus is Trident Tech’s fifth campus. The college has other campuses in North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, downtown Charleston and Moncks Corner.

Registration for fall semester is ongoing. Students must first submit an admission application and be accepted to the college before registering for classes. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 23. For more information visit www.tridenttech.edu.

July 28, 2021 - Bank of America renews investment in workforce development, TTC Youth Apprenticeship Program

Trident Technical College (TTC) is the recipient of a $30,000 grant from Bank of America in support of the Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships (CRYA) Program. The support from Bank of America provides needed funding to cover program-related costs, including tuition and course-related materials such as books, tools, uniforms and equipment, removing any financial barriers to participation and allowing more students from lower income backgrounds to take full advantage of the program. 

Bank of America has been a longtime supporter of youth apprenticeships, and its ongoing investment in the future workforce has been a significant factor in the growing success of this program. The timing of the grant aligns with the announcement of this year’s Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day celebration, July 29, during which students officially become employees and begin their apprenticeships. 

“Trident Technical College and the Youth Apprenticeship program are fundamentally aligned with Bank of America’s longstanding commitment to education and workforce development,” said Mark Munn, President of Bank of America Charleston and Hilton Head Island. “Partnerships and programs like this support a strong educational foundation, a diverse pipeline of skilled workers, and opportunities to earn a living wage, in order to pave the way for long-term vibrancy and sustainability of our local economy.”

Apprenticeships offer numerous benefits to students. Research indicates that as earners of dual credit coursework, these students will be more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in college, have strong college grade point averages, and progress toward college completion. Additionally, youth apprentices develop employability skills and self-confidence, are motivated by the hands-on nature of their study and work, receive valuable mentoring, and build connections to the workforce. The apprenticeship program provides an immersive employment experience and prepares students for immediate job opportunities after graduation, often with program employers.

For youth apprenticeships, TTC partners with a range of high schools (district, charter, home and private/parochial), the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Apprenticeship Carolina and industry partners. TTC delivers educational curriculum developed with local employers and customized to industry needs. High schools promote the program’s availability to their students, while the Chamber encourages employer engagement and Apprenticeship Carolina assists employers with registering with the US Department of Labor. Employers hire and oversee the apprentices’ on-the-job training, provide mentoring, evaluate students’ progress, and provide a scalable wage.

Original source can be found here.