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On April 14, 2025, published the following op-ed by Dr. Tim Hardee, president of the SC Technical College System.

No matter your ZIP code — whether you live in the Lowcountry, the Midlands or the Upstate — you’re never more than 30 minutes from a South Carolina technical college. With 16 colleges and 64 satellite campuses, our technical college system was built to reach every corner of the state and deliver opportunity where it’s needed most.

And that opportunity has never been more accessible.

Every year, more than 147,000 South Carolinians choose our technical colleges. Some are high schoolers earning college credit early. Others are working adults ready for a fresh start. Many are the first in their families to step into higher education — and they’re opening doors for the next generation to follow.

One of the most powerful tools helping to open those doors is the . It’s a game-changer for South Carolina — and for the people who live here.

SC WINS removes one of the biggest barriers to higher education: cost. But just as importantly, it does so in a way that is laser-focused on the workforce needs of our state. We’re not just increasing access — we’re creating targeted pipelines into the industries that power South Carolina’s economy. The scholarship covers any remaining tuition and instructional course fees after other aid is applied — up to $5,000 per academic year — for students in high-demand fields like health care, manufacturing, IT, education, construction and transportation. That often means students can complete a credential or degree at no cost.

We’re also giving students a head start before they ever step foot on a college campus. Dual enrollment allows high school students to earn college credit while still in school — usually tuition-free. It saves time and money and makes the path to a career or degree more attainable, especially for students in economically challenged communities.

And because our colleges are located across the state, access isn’t determined by geography. Whether you’re in a rural town or a growing metro area, the opportunity to build a better future is close to home.

Most of our graduates stay right here in South Carolina — and they go to work. Across our colleges, 93% of graduates are either employed in their field or continuing their education. They become the health care workers who care for us, the technicians who keep industries running, and the skilled professionals who keep our state moving — EMTs, welders, CDL drivers, HVAC specialists and IT experts. They’re the backbone of South Carolina’s economy, making a difference where it matters most: in their own communities.

At South Carolina’s technical colleges, we’re not just training workers. We’re building pathways. We’re aligning programs with industry needs. We’re forming partnerships with business leaders and school districts. And we’re focused on making sure every South Carolinian — regardless of background or ZIP code — has a clear, affordable path to a meaningful career.

Technical education is no longer the “alternative.” It’s the front line of South Carolina’s economic future — and one of our state’s greatest competitive advantages.

Let’s keep investing in what works. Let’s double down on affordability, access and alignment. And let’s ensure that wherever a student starts, they have the tools and opportunity to go further.

Because when opportunity reaches every ZIP code, the entire state wins.

Dr. Tim Hardee is president of the South Carolina Technical College System. As the state's largest higher education system, the SC Technical System serves more than 134,000 South Carolinians each year through one of its 16 technical and and community colleges. The system aims to make a higher education accessible, affordable, and relevant to the people of South Carolina and is preparing the state's workforce for the jobs of today and the careers of tomorrow.