School Districts Partner with PTC to Provide More Options
Greenwood School Districts 50, 51 and 52 will be collaborating with Piedmont Technical College (PTC) next fall to offer their students two new opportunities to prepare for careers in health care.
The Health Care Quick Start program will enable participating students to become qualified for direct entry into one of PTC’s nine competitive admission health care programs, including career paths like nursing, cardiovascular technology and respiratory care. The first year of this dual-enrollment program will be offered at the G. Frank Russell Technology Center and will be tuition-free to participating students.
"We're excited about this partnership," said Dr. Darrell Johnson, superintendent of Greenwood District 50. "This is another way we're working to provide students with options that will position them for success after graduation."
PTC will provide preferred admission status into the clinical portion of their chosen program to those students who successfully complete the required coursework in high school.
Entry to the program will be competitive. More details will be forthcoming in the first few weeks of the new year.
"Together with the Greenwood Promise, this collaboration will make a huge difference for students interested in health care," said Dr. Fay Sprouse, superintendent of Ware Shoals District 51. "Students who work hard could graduate from college debt-free and be well positioned for a great career."
The three districts also will be collaborating with PTC to offer the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate to students beginning in spring 2020. The skills taught in this program are in high demand in Greenwood County and the surrounding region.
"We're hearing the need for EMS training all over our region, and there is a great need for more qualified health care professionals. It is a testament to the vision of the school districts in Greenwood County that they are acting to put a solution in place for these workforce challenges," said Dr. Ray Brooks, president of PTC.
The Health Care Quick Start and EMT programs complement a growing list of countywide dual-enrollment partnerships designed to better prepare high school students for in-demand careers.
The Greenwood EDGE, an advanced manufacturing focused dual-enrollment program, began this fall. EDGE students will complete the program with industry-recognized certifications including the South Carolina Manufacturing Certification, OSHA, Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC), Lean Six Sigma and Forklift.
Participating students will master skills that employers are looking for in employees right now, and participating employers will guarantee an interview to all students who complete the program.
PHOTO CUTLINE
From left: Greenwood High School (GHS) student Adriana Lopez; Bonnie Corbitt, director of the G. Frank Russell Technology Center; GHS student Takiya Hunt; Tara Harris, PTC dean of health care; Darrell Johnson, superintendent, School District 50; Ninety Six High School student Courtney Smith; Dr. Jack Bagwell, PTC vice president of academic affairs; GHS student Kavya Patel; Fay Sprouse, superintendent, School District 51; Shirley Boyce, assistant superintendent of instruction for School District 50; GHS student Ambraja Arnold; Kris Burris, PTC director of dual enrollment; and Dr. Ray Brooks, PTC president. (Photo by Johnathan Graves)