Career Quick Start

Get started on the path to a great career now.

Your school district and Piedmont Technical College are working together with businesses in the area to give you a jump start on a rewarding career. The courses offered through our Career Quick Start program will prepare you for work in a critical workforce area of your choice.

Through our program, you can take the first steps and, in several cases, complete industry recognized credentials while you’re still in high school. Plus, your coursework will easily transfer into related majors if you attend Piedmont Tech after graduating from high school.

NOW TUITION-FREE - Dual Enrollment at PTC is designed to be affordable to all students. South Carolina residents taking at least 6 credit hours (generally two classes) per semester through Piedmont Technical College’s Dual Enrollment program, can attend classes tuition-free at their high school, on a PTC campus, or online. That means real, substantial savings on a college education.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS:

Piedmont Tech currently offers 10 Career Quick Start programs students can enroll in during their junior and senior years of high school. Each program is part of a career pathway that can lead to a certificate, diploma or associate degree depending on the subject area. The college is working to add more programs to the list.

Automotive Technology

PTC’s nationally recognized Automotive Technology program prepares future certified technicians for the challenges of the automotive industry. The specialized training you’ll receive in the automotive program will prepare you to become an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technician, a credential that can provide greater earning potential through demonstrating your expertise in the field.

100% Placement Rate for 2017-2018 graduates.

QUICK START CREDENTIAL*
• Automotive Fundamentals Certificate

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJOR
• Automotive Technology (A.A.S.)

Available in Greenwood and Newberry counties.

*Students will complete coursework toward this credential. Depending on the high school or program, additional coursework may be required outside of the student’s normal Dual Enrollment schedule.

Commercial Art

This certificate provides both aesthetic and commercial applications of photography. Students will learn how to take pictures on assignment. Beginning, intermediate and advanced photography classes are offered in addition to core courses.

SC Salary Range: $27,070-$75,140.

QUICK START CREDENTIAL*
• Photography Certificate

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJOR
• General Technology, Concentration in Photography with Secondary Specialty in Advertising Design (A.A.S.)

Available in Greenwood County.

*Students will complete coursework toward this credential. Depending on the high school or program, additional coursework may be required outside of the student’s normal Dual Enrollment schedule.

Computer Technology

This certificate is designed for computer or network systems professionals that need expertise in security. The program will provide students with the concepts and skills of the fast-growing field of cybersecurity, including security of systems and infrastructure in business and industry. Students will learn how to protect networks and defend information systems from attack.

Computer Technology careers are projected to grow by 13% by 2026.

QUICK START CREDENTIAL*
• Cybersecurity Certificate

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJORS
• Computer Technology (A.A.S.)

Available in Greenwood County.

*Students will complete coursework toward this credential. Depending on the high school or program, additional coursework may be required outside of the student’s normal Dual Enrollment schedule.

Criminal Justice

Designed to prepare professionally educated and competent criminal justice practitioners for careers within the criminal justice system. Generally, three groups of students are served: individuals seeking employment in public or private agencies upon completion of the two-year degree; practitioners furthering their education for personal fulfillment or professional advancement; and those intending to pursue advanced studies in criminal justice, criminology or sociology at four-year institutions.

The median salary in South Carolina for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers is $40,770.

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJOR
• Criminal Justice (A.A.S.)

Available in Greenwood County.

*Students will complete coursework toward this credential. Depending on the high school or program, additional coursework may be required outside of the student’s normal Dual Enrollment schedule.

Emergency Medical Technician

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a vital link in the health care chain. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) are employed in areas such as emergency ambulances, private non-emergent transport services, clinics, and other allied health care settings.

SC Salary Range: $19,850-$43,280.

QUICK START CREDENTIAL*
• Emergency Medical Technician Certificate

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJORS
• EMT graduates can follow our health care career-pathway to their major of choice.

Available in Abbeville, Greenwood and Newberry counties.

*Students will complete coursework toward this credential. Depending on the high school or program, additional coursework may be required outside of the student’s normal Dual Enrollment schedule.

HVAC

In PTC’s Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology program, you’ll learn to diagnose and repair malfunctions; size, fabricate and install air duct systems; and estimate cooling and heating loads for selection of the most efficient systems for a given building.

Median salary for technicians in South Carolina is $44,570.

QUICK START CREDENTIAL
• HVACR Installers Certificate

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJOR
• Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology (A.A.S.)

Available in Greenwood and Laurens counties.

Health Care

Health Care Quick Start is designed for students interested in pursuing a health care career after high school graduation. Students completing the coursework for this program will be qualified for direct entry into one of Piedmont Technical College’s competitive-admission health care programs. Employment in Health Care occupations is expected to grow by over 13% in the next 10 years.

QUICK START CURRICULUM
• Health Care Program Ready Coursework

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJORS
• Cardiovascular Technology (A.A.S.) - Adult Echocardiography
• Cardiovascular Technology (A.A.S.) – Invasive
• Medical Assisting (D.A.S.)
• Nursing (A.A.S.)
• Practical Nursing (D.A.S.)
• Occupational Therapy Assistant (A.A.S.)
• Radiologic Technology (A.A.S.)
• Respiratory Care (A.A.S.)
• Surgical Technology (D.A.S.)
• Veterinary Technology (A.A.S.)

Available in Greenwood County

Mechatronics

PTC’s Mechatronics program offers a comprehensive education that combines elements of electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics, mechanics, IT, computers and robotics. With instruction in Mechatronics, you’ll be prepared for the modern, automated workforce.

Median salary for technicians in South Carolina is $52,140.

QUICK START CREDENTIALS
• Manufacturing Production Technician
• Mechatronics Technology I Certificate

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJOR
• Mechatronics Technology (A.A.S.)

Available in Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry and Saluda counties.

Machine Tool

The skills taught in the Machine Tool program are in constant demand in our region, and all over the country. Graduates will find that their employment prospects are excellent. You’ll get a full introduction to the field and practical experience in machining  operations used in practically every manufacturing industry. Employment is expected to grow by over 14% in the next 10 years.

QUICK START CREDENTIALS
• Computerized Numerical Control Certificate
• Machine Tool Operator Certificate

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJOR
• Machine Tool Technology (A.A.S.)

Available in Greenwood and Laurens counties.

Welding

Welding plays a critical role in the strength and durability of everything from cars to heavy industrial machinery to bridges. In Piedmont Tech’s Welding program, you’ll learn to weld in the four main positions on both structured steel and pipe.

SC Salary Range: $28,560-$63,120.

QUICK START CREDENTIAL
• Basic Welding Certificate

CAREER-PATHWAY MAJOR
• Welding Diploma

Available in Greenwood and Laurens counties.

For more information, contact PTC's Dual Enrollment Office at (864) 941-8315.

Click here to request information