Workforce Development Month shines a spotlight on workforce education and training

GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As Upstate employers face growing demand for skilled workers in health care, advanced manufacturing, aviation, technology, skilled trades and other key industries, Greenville Technical College is helping build the talent pipeline that powers the region's economy.

From hospital floors and manufacturing facilities to airport hangars and technology companies, Greenville Tech graduates are filling critical needs, showing up for jobs with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to succeed in high-demand careers while helping employers address workforce needs.

"Workforce development is about creating opportunities for individuals while fulfilling our mission of reshaping communities through shared economic prosperity," said Dr. Candice Lewis, chief academic officer for Greenville Technical College. "With a graduate placement rate of 94%, meaning that our students are either employed in-field or continuing their education, Greenville Tech students are gaining skills that lead directly to meaningful careers, and employers are finding the talent they need to grow and innovate."

Through academic programs, workforce certificates, continuing education and customized training solutions, Greenville Tech works closely with business and industry partners to align education with current and future workforce needs. These partnerships ensure students graduate with skills that are relevant, practical and immediately applicable in the workplace.

For students, workforce development often means a direct pathway to economic mobility. Many graduates move directly from the classroom into careers that offer competitive wages, opportunities for advancement and long-term stability.

"Greenville Tech provides a powerful connection between education and employment," said Dr. Kelvin Byrd, chief economic development officer for Greenville Technical College. "By developing local talent, we're helping individuals build successful futures while supporting the workforce needs of employers across the Upstate."

Greenville Tech graduates power some of the Upstate's top employers, including BMW, Michelin, Lockheed Martin, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Prisma Health and many others.

Through its industry partnerships, Greenville Tech offers apprenticeship opportunities, clinical placements, internships and other valuable experiential learning opportunities that allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, helping them graduate ready to contribute from their first day on the job.

Internships are increasingly serving as a direct pathway to employment. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers converted 63.1% of interns into full-time hires in 2024-25, the highest rate in five years. Research also shows that internship experience significantly improves employment outcomes, with Forbes reporting that internships double the odds that a student secures a job before graduating from college.

For Greenville Tech graduate Carver Blassingame, the connection between education and employment began before graduation. Through the BMW Scholars Program, he gained hands-on experience, working alongside other professionals and developing skills directly aligned with workforce needs.

"Working at BMW for two years as a Greenville Tech student through the BMW Scholars Program allowed the company to get to know me and to build my skillset," Blassingame said. "When I graduated, I was able to move directly into a full-time position. Now I'm adding to my education with a bachelor's degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology, a step that should qualify me for managerial roles."

"Preparing students for in-demand careers requires more than classroom instruction, and these collaborative efforts with local businesses expose students to workplace environments and emerging technologies while building professional skills and industry connections for our students," Byrd said.

The college continues to invest in programs designed to address South Carolina's most pressing workforce needs. Among these efforts is the recently opened Center for Welding and Automation Excellence (CWAE), which is expanding Greenville Tech's capacity to prepare skilled workers for careers in welding, automation, robotics and advanced manufacturing. The center was developed in response to growing employer demand for talent in fields that are critical to the region's manufacturing sector and overall economic competitiveness. In addition to offering the most advanced equipment to prepare students for successful careers, CWAE will also serve as a hub for continuing education for experienced workers to enhance their skills. 

"CWAE is the largest and most advanced welding facility in the Southeast, boasting the country's only AI-powered welding lab," said Luke Hardaway, director of human resources, Vermeer MV Solutions. "This exciting addition to the Upstate's toolkit will support the growing needs of advanced manufacturing, helping companies like Vermeer succeed and grow."

Workforce Development Month provides an opportunity to highlight the students, graduates, employer partners, faculty, and workforce development professionals who are strengthening the Upstate's talent pipeline. Through innovative training programs, strategic industry partnerships, and investments such as the Center for Welding and Automation Excellence, Greenville Tech continues to play a leading role in preparing the skilled workforce that supports economic growth throughout the region.

About Greenville Technical College:
Greenville Technical College (GTC), established in 1962, is a multi-campus institution committed to empowering individuals by providing access for all, changing lives by working to support student success, and reshaping communities through shared economic prosperity. Serving more than 21,000 students annually, GTC offers nearly 100 academic programs leading to in-demand careers in fields such as health care, advanced manufacturing, business, engineering, culinary and visual arts, along with short-term training for career and personal development. With strong industry partnerships and regional accreditation, the college ensures seamless transfer opportunities and a well-prepared workforce. Learn more at www.gvltec.edu.

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SOURCE Greenville Technical College