School Briefs - August 15, 2019
TRIDENT TECH OFFERS FREE TUITION FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS
Trident Technical College is offering students a chance to take classes for free this fall if they enroll in specific in-demand career training programs in manufacturing, information technology, culinary and hospitality, emergency medical technology and technical trades.
The college is able to offer students free tuition through a combination of federal, state and college financial aid funds. The total aid package for a tri-county student taking 15 credit hours is more than $2,800.
“This is a great opportunity for people who want to get the skills required to land a good job, and also for people who are already working to upgrade their skills to get a better job,” said Trident Tech President Mary Thornley.
To take advantage of this free semester of college, students must apply to the college and pay the $30 application fee. The college admission application can be completed online at www.tridenttech.edu. Students also must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which can be found at fafsa.gov. Once accepted to the college, students can register for fall classes either online or in person with their assigned advisor. Students who qualify will be awarded financial aid to cover the full cost of tuition, registration fees and course fees. Students are responsible for the cost of books and digital course materials.
Full Fall and Fall 1 classes begin Aug. 26. Fall 2 classes begin Oct. 23. To see a list of programs eligible for free tuition and for additional information visit bit.ly/FreeTuitionFall19. To speak with a Trident Tech representative, call (843) 574-6111.
CHARLESTON REGIONAL YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP HOSTS SIGNING DAY!
The Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeship (CRYA) program celebrated career education with hundreds of students, business leaders, educators and special guests at the Signing Day 2019 breakfast, held July 30 at the College Center on Trident Technical College’s Thornley Campus in North Charleston.
The event was highlighted by a panel discussion facilitated by TTC President Mary Thornley with former youth apprentices Dakota Duncan (graduate of Berkeley High School), Jessica Garcia (graduate of Fort Dorchester High School), Charles Gries (graduate of Charleston Charter Math and Science) and Ty’Celia Young (graduate of Garrett Academy of Technology), who discussed how their apprenticeships changed their lives.
The discussion was followed by remarks from State of South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Karen Dunn Kelley and White House Deputy Assistant to the President for Technology Policy Michael Kratsios.
Following the program, youth apprentices officially signed with their employers representing automotive, bookkeeping, CNA/pre-nursing, culinary arts, cybersecurity, emergency mechanical CAD technician, engineering assistant, hotel operations, HVAC, industrial mechanics, machine tool technology, medical CAD, medical office assistant, networking, security/pre-law enforcement and welding.
Through CRYA, Trident Tech connects qualified high school students with participating employers. The employers interview and hire the students, who then begin employment while taking high school and college courses. At the completion of the apprenticeships, students will have earned a high school diploma, a TTC certificate, a journeyman credential from the U.S. Department of Labor and two years of paid work experience.
Five students from Philip Simmons High School took part in the recent signing day and will be participating in the apprenticeship program: Alexus Wigfall, culinary, Magnolias; Dakota Bartleson, culinary, Wild Dunes Resort; Brandon Casey, industrial mechanics, Boeing South Carolina; Devon Frederick-Mendez, culinary, Wild Dunes Resort; and Zoe Smith, CNA, MUSC.
All costs associated with the program, including tuition, books and most materials for apprenticeship-related courses at Trident Technical College, are covered while apprentices are working for a participating employer. Currently, there are over 160 business partners who have or are interested in hiring youth apprentices for the 2019‐20 academic school year.