MTC Northeast Ribbon Cutting
COLUMBIA, SC - October 18, 2013 - Midlands Technical College (MTC) held a ribbon cutting and grand opening for the new Engineering Technology and Sciences Building on the college’s Northeast Campus. The four-story state-of-the-art classroom and lab facility houses programs that will prepare students for careers in regional technology-based industries, a critical driver of economic and workforce development.
“In central South Carolina, there are a projected 20,000 job openings over the next five years, and most of those job openings will be in Alternate Energy, Health Care, Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology,” said MTC president Dr. Marshall (Sonny) White, Jr. “This new facility offers a significant step toward filling job openings in those areas, especially Alternate Energy and Advanced Manufacturing.”
The 82,000-square-foot Engineering Technology and Sciences Building houses the college’s Engineering Technology programs, including Engineering Transfer and Nuclear Systems Technology; as well as science classrooms, wet labs and general education offerings.
Dr. Clint Chandler, MTC Engineering Technologies and Engineering Transfer department chair, said, “This building is designed to be adaptable so that we can grow and expand to quickly meet the needs of the business community, our students and ultimately the region.”
Dr. Geralyne López-de-Victoria, chair of MTC’s Science Department, said the new building is like none other. “From the careful planning of lighting and space, to the ultra-modern lab equipment, to the sustainable building design, this building is an excellent example of what a high-tech educational facility should be.”
Ground was first broken on the MTC Engineering Technology and Sciences Building in April 2011. With the building now complete, students enrolled in Engineering Technology and Engineering Transfer programs will be able to meet their program and general education requirements on one campus. Students in any academic program will also now have the opportunity to take science and general education courses at the MTC Northeast Campus.
Many programs and courses offered at the facility are in preparation for middle-skills careers. According to the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), currently, 45 percent of available jobs are in the middle skills – those defined as needing education and training beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. In South Carolina, only 29 percent of available workers meet that hiring criteria. Middle-skill salaries are competitive, often ranging from $40,000 to over $100,000. These good jobs are available to anyone with the matching education and skills training.
In addition to energy efficient mechanical systems and water efficient plumbing systems, sustainable strategies for the Engineering Technology and Sciences Building include the use of pervious paving to mitigate stormwater runoff, use of a white roof membrane to reduce heat-island effect, bicycle infrastructure, preferred parking made available for low-emitting vehicles, and use of regional and recycled materials.
Read the original story at http://www.midlandsbiz.com/articles/15233/.