Tri-County Technical College opens new certificate programs

Listen to this article

The Tri-County Technical College Commission approved four new certificate programs today to help workers build the skills needed for in-demand careers in the information technology industry, as well as the early child care and education fields.

Enrollment in the programs begins in spring 2021 with coursework beginning in fall 2021, according to a news release.

“South Carolina’s workforce is one of its strongest assets, and Tri-County is committed to providing the education and training opportunities needed to ensure our students are skilled and ready to fill the high-demand jobs in our region,” Tri-County Technical College President Galen DeHay said in the release. “All four of these certificate programs help us address the demands of local business and industry while also putting students on a path to earning a high-quality credential that can lead to a meaningful career.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Cisco network administrator jobs are expected to grow by 4%, while computer technician positions are expected to grow by 8% over the next 10 years.

Tri-County’s Cisco Network Administrator Certificate program will help students develop basic skills in network administration, security and troubleshooting, according to the release. Certificate holders will also have the chance to acquire a Cisco-certified Network Association Certification.

A corresponding computer technician certification program will include courses on basic information technology tasks, including preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, network operation and basic web development. As a defined career pathway course, high school students participating in the program will be able to register for dual credit, according to the release.

“Nearly every company needs information technology specialists to keep their business running smoothly,” Jackie Blakley, dean of business and public services at the school, said in the release. “At Tri-County, we provide a career-focused education that includes hands-on learning and instruction from highly-skilled and experienced faculty. When our students leave Tri-County, they are prepared to hit the ground running.”

The school’s early care and education certificate programs can be completed within a year, according to the release.

The newly-approved Early Care and Education Assistant Certificate addresses the need for professionals able to support high-quality, early development educational experiences, while the Early Care and Education Special Needs Certificate program will prepare students for inclusive care in a range of educational settings.

“Our early care and education courses and onsite placements provide great learning experiences that help students better understand the physical, emotional, language and behavioral development of infants, toddlers and school-aged children,” Blakley said in the release. “These students are already in high demand with 100% job placement rates.”