Midlands Technical College Awarded $2M+ for Workforce Development

MTC helps local businesses cut through red-tape for tax-saving apprenticeship programs

Midlands Technical College has been awarded more than $2.17 million in grants and funding to help drive South Carolina’s economy through workforce development. The money will assist Midlands businesses in creating and sustaining apprenticeship programs.

Few employers realize that they can receive up to $2,500 per apprentice (increased to $3,000), or up to $750 per pre-apprentice, to offset workforce development costs. Additionally, companies who have registered apprenticeship programs can qualify for a state tax credit of up to $4,000 per apprentice. Apprenticeship programs help employers recruit, build, and retain a highly skilled workforce. Youth and adult apprenticeship programs combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare employees for highly-skilled careers that provide family-sustaining income. 

“MTC and Apprenticeship Carolina make it easy for employers to develop their workforce through tailored apprenticeships,” said Rebecca Taylor, MTC Business Solutions Executive Director. “We help them with the grant application, training plans, and even reporting processes. And at the end of the day, employers are able to build their workforce with a great deal of intention.”

The majority of MTC’s funding ($2,081,255) came from four U.S. Department of Labor grants, three of which were awarded to Apprenticeship Carolina for competitive distribution. The remaining funds come from state and private sources. The goal is to fund 935 apprentices and 251 pre-apprentices.

U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs

These federal programs typically range from 1-4 years and have three components: Job Related Education, On-the-job Training, and a Scalable Wage. At the end of a typical apprenticeship, employees will earn a college-level certification, a credential from the U.S. DOL, and have 1-4 years of paid work experience.

The Midlands Youth Apprenticeship (MYA)

This local partnership is between MTC, the Columbia Chamber, and Apprenticeship Carolina. Through cooperation with Midlands school districts and employers, MYA is graduating its second cohort of students this spring.

• Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship with Nephron Pharmaceuticals
  • Briana Storey, Spring Valley High School
• CNA/Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship with Prisma Health
  • Casey Ann Fowler, Blythewood High School
  • Liz Munteanu, Spring Valley High School
  • Madison Grindstaff, Westwood High School
  • Tierra Simmons, Spring Valley High School
• Mechatronics Apprenticeship with Nephron Pharmaceutical
  • Michael Evers, Blythewood High School
  • Shekinah Sanders, Westwood High School

MTC is actively recruiting businesses and organizations that are interested in the next cohort of the Midlands Youth Apprenticeship program. It starts this fall. Employers interested in youth or adult apprenticeship programs, please contact MTC. Email: corporatetraining@midlandstech.edu; Phone: 803.691.3907.

Category: President's Newsletter