Piedmont Tech Signs Agreement with Strom Thurmond Career Center

Piedmont Technical College and Strom Thurmond Career Center recently signed an agreement that will enhance the transfer of students from the career center to PTC and provide a seamless transition for students to enter the automotive technology program.

This partnership will offer high school students in Edgefield County the opportunity to earn credit in the automotive program at Piedmont Tech while enrolled at the career center.

 “We are very excited to continue our partnership with the Edgefield County School District,” said Dr. Jack Bagwell, vice president for academic affairs at PTC. “As with dual enrollment classes offered at the high school, this agreement will assist students with their enrollment at Piedmont Technical College.”

Working closely with the faculty, staff and administration at both institutions, the curriculum has been aligned to meet the criteria for articulated credit. At the end of the high school program of study, the high school instructor may recommend students to receive credit at PTC by submitting their information to the PTC automotive instructor through PTC’s exemption credit form. Students must be awarded credit within a two year period of their high school graduation date.

“By giving students the opportunity to earn credit for technical competencies they learned while still in high school, we are eliminating duplicate coursework and saving the student time and money,” said Dr. Jennifer Wilbanks, associate vice president for academic affairs and off-campus. “It is our hope that these partnerships and opportunities will encourage students to continue their education which will increase the skilled workforce that is needed in our local communities.”

The agreement, which begins fall 2016, will make it easier for students to move on to an automotive certificate or associate degree.

“It is a pleasure to collaborate with Strom Thurmond Career Center to provide an articulation opportunity for the high school’s students,” said David Kibler, interim dean of engineering and industrial technologies at PTC. “I feel that the articulation opportunity will provide the Strom Thurmond Career Center students with a pathway toward a degree, hence giving the students an advanced standing in their classes.”

For more information, contact Gerald Sartin, automotive instructor at PTC, at (864) 941-8468.