Students gain practical skills in a hands-on environment as part of the Future Ready Certificate Program.
Charleston, SC, July 30, 2025
Trident Technical College is expanding its Future Ready Certificate program to include more high school students interested in trades and technical fields. The initiative aims to double enrollment from 10 to 20 students for the upcoming semester. The program, now open to juniors and seniors from Charleston and Dorchester counties, provides hands-on STEM learning and academic credits towards high school graduation and technical college degrees. Recent success stories include students securing apprenticeships and further education opportunities.
Charleston, SC – Trident Technical College is expanding its Future Ready Certificate program, aimed at high school students exploring career options in trades and technical fields. This program has recently seen success, with nine out of the first ten participants from Berkeley County high schools opting for specific career pathways upon completing the courses in May. The initiative now plans to double its enrollment from 10 to 20 students for the upcoming semester.
The program will now extend its reach to include high school juniors and seniors from Charleston and Dorchester counties. The Future Ready program lasts for 18 weeks and includes four key courses that integrate vital science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts, alongside skills in problem-solving and communication.
David Perkins, assistant dean of manufacturing and maintenance at the college, highlights the program’s essential role in addressing the significant demand for industrial and manufacturing workers. The curriculum encompasses hands-on projects such as building a go-kart, which equips students with crucial skills like precision measuring, circuits, electricity basics, assembly, and data collection.
High school students who complete the program not only earn academic credits that satisfy high school graduation requirements but also accumulate credits that are applicable towards a South Carolina technical college degree. Recent graduates have found success, with one securing an apprenticeship with Boeing, another choosing to further their studies in air conditioning and refrigeration, and a third enlisting in the military for mechanical assembly training.
According to Robert Elliott, dean of manufacturing and maintenance, the program’s primary goal is to inspire and motivate students who may feel directionless after high school. Trident Tech identified over 4,000 high school graduates in the tri-county area last year who neither pursued public college education nor sought career training, accounting for more than half of all public school seniors.
To enhance learning experiences, students will tour local employers, such as Mercedes-Benz, enabling them to see real-world applications of their coursework. This exposure has motivated some students to consider further education opportunities, such as continuing automation studies at Wofford College.
The Future Ready program is funded by the Bosch Community Fund, Volvo, and Boeing, which allows students to participate at no cost. Boeing’s general manager of the 787 program in South Carolina has expressed the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of skilled workers through hands-on training and community engagement.
An information session regarding the Future Ready Certificate program will be held for parents and students shortly before the school year begins in early August across the tri-county area, preparing to kick off an educational journey for numerous students in the upcoming semester.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Duration | 18 weeks |
| Student Enrollment | Increased from 10 to 20 students |
| Target Audience | High school juniors and seniors |
| Program Focus | STEM Concepts, Problem-solving, Communication skills |
| Hands-on Projects | Building go-karts and real-world applications |
| Academic Credits | Applicable for high school graduation and technical college |
| Funding Sources | Bosch Community Fund, Volvo, Boeing |
The Future Ready Certificate program is an initiative by Trident Technical College designed for high school students to explore career pathways in trades and technical fields, focusing on STEM concepts and essential skills.
The program will accept high school juniors and seniors from Charleston and Dorchester counties, expanding enrollment from 10 to 20 students.
Students earn academic credits towards high school graduation and can also apply credits towards a South Carolina technical college degree. The program also enhances hands-on skills suitable for the workforce.
No, the program is funded through contributions from the Bosch Community Fund, Volvo, and Boeing, allowing students to attend at no charge.
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