Technical College launches Mobile Welding Training Center and CDL program
The Technical College of the Lowcountry Center for Business and Workforce Solutions held a ribbon cutting last week for its new Mobile Welding Training Center and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program.
The celebration was held at the TCL New River Campus is Bluffton and featured messages from TCL President Richard Gough and S.C. Senator Tom Davis.
“These programs are a win for the Lowcountry. Enhanced workforce development initiatives directly benefit the economic vitality of the Lowcountry,” Gough said.
Senator Davis agreed. “TCL is where the rubber hits the road. We need to understand just how important technical colleges are to workforce development and industrial and business recruitment,” Davis said.
TCL received a $1.35 million appropriation from the state of South Carolina to fund the programs. The Mobile Welding Training Center is one of only two such systems in the country and will provide student training, incumbent worker training and travel to schools throughout the Lowcountry. The Center features six state-of-the-art welding simulators and a live welder for demonstration purposes. The Center will enhance TCL’s existing welding programs at the Beaufort and Hampton Campuses.
“We believe that technical training is key to worthy careers for today and tomorrow,” said Sean Henrickson, Vice President for Continuing Education & Workforce Development. “The center will help promote welding and other technical careers as we take it out across the Lowcountry.”
The College also purchased two tractor trailers to offer CDL training at its New River and Hampton campuses. Truck driving is one of the most in-demand professions regionally and nationally, and with the Jasper Ocean Terminal, local demand for CDL professionals is expected to grow exponentially.
“Now is the time to prepare these workers,” Gough said. “We are ensuring there is a pipeline of skilled professionals to meet current and future workforce needs.”
Davis pledged continued support to the Lowcountry and to the College.
“The next 10 to 15 years for Beaufort and Jasper are going to be tremendously exciting and the Technical College of the Lowcountry is going to be at the center of it all,” Davis said.
For more information, please contact Sean Henrickson at shenrickson@tcl.edu or 843.525.8369.