In today’s rapidly evolving workforce landscape, the need for skilled, job-ready employees has never been greater. Industries are facing critical labor shortages and actively seeking workers who can contribute from day one. At the same time, students and job seekers are increasingly looking for fast, flexible training that leads directly to meaningful careers. Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College meets these needs head-on with a dynamic, future-focused approach that blends advanced manufacturing and engineering technology education with innovative workforce development strategies and deep community engagement.
“At OCtech, our mission is to promote success and self-reliance for our students while fostering economic development in our region,” President Dr. Walt Tobin said. “South Carolina’s technical colleges – and OCtech in particular – are committed to providing a high-quality academic experience that empowers individuals to improve their lives and the well-being of their families and communities.”
Creating Opportunities for All Learners
OCtech’s Continuing Education division is leading the charge to make career pathways accessible for every type of learner, from high school graduates to career changers, displaced workers and underemployed adults. Its new Workforce Development System was created to align closely with the region’s current and projected job market needs. It maps clear, achievable routes from basic training to advanced credentials in high-demand industries.
Two standout programs – the Assembly Worker Training (10-12 weeks) and Prospective Employee Training (three weeks) – integrate the NCCER Core Curriculum, a national standard in construction and industrial safety and skills. These short-term, stackable credential programs give participants a strong foundation in workplace safety, tool usage and industrial processes, and can serve as a launchpad for further education or immediate employment in local industries.
One area of particular demand is automation and control systems, where programmable logic controllers play a central role. As industries continue to automate processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs, there’s a growing need for workers who can program and maintain PLCs. OCtech offers low time commitment, hands-on PLC training through Continuing Education, introducing students to the basic hardware, software and logic used to control machines in manufacturing and industrial environments. This training opens doors to careers in everything from automotive and aerospace manufacturing to utilities and logistics – fields where skilled PLC technicians are in short supply and high demand.
Bringing Training to the People
OCtech understands that accessibility is one of the biggest barriers to education in rural communities. That’s why the college has invested in a state-of-the-art mobile training lab designed to bring hands-on education directly to the people who need it most. This mobile unit is fully climate-controlled, handicapped accessible and powered by plug-in or generator, allowing it to reach even the most remote corners of Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.
With funding from a $4.9 million Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, OCtech’s mobile lab initiative is helping remove barriers like transportation, childcare and work schedules that can prevent individuals from enrolling in traditional college programs.
“By bringing advanced training directly to rural areas, we’re breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for students to gain high-demand skills where they live,” Tobin said. “We’re reaching students where they are – literally – and giving them the tools they need to build successful futures.”
Providing Seamless Pathways from Classroom to Career
OCtech’s innovative model doesn’t stop at training – it creates clear, flexible educational pathways that can take students from introductory certifications to associate degrees. The college seamlessly blends non-credit and credit programming, so students who begin with workforce training can later apply that experience toward a degree in a related field.
Students who complete the NCCER Core Curriculum modules through Continuing Education can receive academic credit for select courses, such as IMT-210 and IMT-211, allowing them to transition into credit-bearing programs without repeating content. These pathways lead to associate degrees in high-demand areas like:
- Industrial Electronics Technology
- Mechatronics Technology
- General Technology, with specialty tracks in Welding Technology and Industrial Maintenance Technology
This approach helps students advance at their own pace and according to their own goals, with minimal duplication of effort and maximum opportunity for career growth.
Fueling Regional Economic Development
As Orangeburg and Calhoun counties prepare for unprecedented economic expansion, thanks in part to their proximity to major ports in Charleston and the I-95 corridor, OCtech is poised to become the engine that powers the local workforce.
“OCtech is THE place to get ready for those jobs,” Tobin said, referencing the college’s 93% job placement rate in high-wage, high-demand fields. “We’re not just preparing students for the jobs of today – we’re preparing them for the careers of tomorrow.”
Local high school seniors also benefit by saving thousands of dollars toward a bachelor’s degree. The most recent data shows 83% of OCtech Early College high school seniors continued their studies after graduation, and on average, they entered college with more than 15 credit hours earned.
From dual enrollment programs to strong industry partnerships, OCtech ensures everyone desiring a solid foundation has the skills they need to succeed.
Connecting People to Possibilities
OCtech has maintained steady enrollment thanks to its ongoing commitment to relevance, flexibility and innovation. The college’s seven-week terms and in-demand career tracks continue to attract a wide range of students, including working adults seeking advancement or a career change.
“We are the first stop on the road to the American dream,” Tobin said. “We hope everyone looking to start or restart a career will take full advantage of all OCtech has to offer.”
Whether they’re interested in manufacturing, healthcare, digital technology, public service or another expanding field, OCtech provides students with the education, training and support to transform their lives and the future of their communities. By leveraging strategic partnerships, embracing innovation and staying rooted in the region’s needs, OCtech is redefining what it means to deliver high-quality technical education in rural South Carolina by connecting people to endless possibilities.
