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Thunderbolt Career Technology Center reports enrollment gains, asks council to consider funding for certifications and tools
Summary
Representatives from Thunderbolt Career Technology Center told Colleton County Council that program completers rose from 30 to 75 year-over-year and requested additional funding for shop tools and ASE certifications to support student placement in industry apprenticeships and jobs.
Thunderbolt Career Technology Center staff and students presented program progress to Colleton County Council on June 3, 2025, reporting a rise in program completers and requesting county assistance to fund certifications and shop equipment.
An educator at the center said that the program produced about 30 completers in the prior year and 75 completers in the most recent year, indicating growth in the center’s career-pathway enrollment. A student, identified in the meeting as Charles Smiley, described opportunities the program has opened for him, including potential certifications and employer partnerships.
What the center asked for: staff and the student requested funding that would allow students to acquire industry certifications and additional tools for the automotive shop. The educator listed employers and certification partners such as Boeing and tool vendors (Snap-on and MAC Tools were named as equipment manufacturers in the presentation) and said the center seeks support to secure ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification opportunities for students.
Why it matters: vocational programs are a direct pipeline to local employment and apprenticeships; council members acknowledged the program’s role and said they would explore possible funding and resource connections with the new county administrator and school system officials.
Ending: the council expressed support and asked staff to coordinate with the center and the superintendent to determine possible funding paths and next steps for certification and equipment requests.
