August 8, 2024

The health care industry is facing a shortage of skilled professionals, and South Carolina is no exception. This shortage is particularly challenging in areas where services are scarce, leading to long wait times, limited provider availability, and long travel distances for medical and dental care. These barriers prevent many rural residents from receiving necessary care, which worsens health issues and widens the gap in health disparities.

However, South Carolina’s technical colleges are bridging this gap. Offering affordable, high-quality training and education, these institutions produce graduates skilled in the latest treatments and technologies. Equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge, these graduates enter the workforce job-ready and eager to serve their communities.

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation proudly supports the development of health care professionals in these colleges. By addressing the growing need for health care workers, these institutions ensure that all South Carolinians receive the quality care they deserve.

The Value of Technical Colleges

The South Carolina Technical College System includes 16 technical colleges across the state, providing industry-specific training and education, including health care. Annually, these schools educate and train over 134,000 South Carolinians through credit and continuing education programs. Nearly every South Carolinian lives within a 30-minute drive from one of the 16 main or 64 satellite campuses. The colleges offer a wide range of programs, including 78 degrees, 28 diplomas and nearly 1,000 certificate programs. Additionally, the system is dedicated to economic and workforce development, including two internationally renowned programs: readySC™ and Apprenticeship Carolina™.

Success Stories and Future Goals

Recent funding by the Foundation has made significant impacts across South Carolina. The Foundation has funded 10 technical colleges, supporting 26 counties in South Carolina, helping them purchase state-of-the-art equipment for nursing and dental programs. These modernizations fill immediate workforce needs and support long-term health improvements across the state, meeting community demands through the services provided as part of their training.

Point of Care for Thousands of South Carolinians

Many technical colleges offer clinics to the public, providing access to care and services at low cost while delivering valuable real-life training for students. Modern equipment in these clinics ensures that students receive the best training while serving the community through patient care. Some technical colleges utilizing this program include:

• Florence-Darlington Technical College, which updated dental equipment and expanded clinic capabilities.
• Greenville Technical College, which modernized dental training equipment and enhanced hands-on student experience.
• Horry-Georgetown Technical College, which improved lab equipment to better prepare students and serve over 1,000 patients annually.
• Midlands Technical College, which upgraded its dental clinic with advanced imaging technology to serve over 2,000 patients annually.
• Spartanburg Community College, which acquired new dental equipment to improve student training and community dental services.
• Trident Technical College, which replaced outdated dental equipment and enhanced its Dental Hygiene Clinic to provide affordable preventive oral health care.
• Tri-County Technical College, which improved lab enhancements by equipping the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting program with up-to-date equipment, benefiting both students and underserved patients.
• Aiken Technical College, which updated equipment for its Dental Assisting program, creating a space for students to learn with the newest technology and fostering a deeper skillset while planning for a community dental clinic.
• Central Carolina Technical College, which expanded its nursing program by pursuing simulation center accreditation and updating classroom equipment to enhance hands-on training for students.

A Stronger Health Care Workforce for South Carolina

With the enhancement provided by Foundation grants, technical colleges in South Carolina are able to offer even more practical and affordable paths to health care careers. These grants support the provision of high-quality training and up-to-date equipment, creating an enriched environment that promotes student learning. These colleges play an essential role in health care, particularly in underserved areas, by equipping students with the necessary technical skills and helping them understand their communities’ specific health needs. Building a diverse health care workforce addresses community needs and paves the way for a healthier future.

The Foundation’s commitment to supporting technical colleges is rooted in a larger vision of a healthier South Carolina. Increasing the number of health care professionals and encouraging career development breaks down barriers to access and quality of care, ensuring that health care providers represent their communities, enhancing cultural connections and improving patient outcomes.

“Supporting technical colleges not only helps equip students with the skills they need but also ensures that communities across South Carolina have access to quality health care,” said Erika Kirby, executive director of the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. “The investment in education is an investment in better health outcomes for everyone in the state.”

As we celebrate the start of a new school year, the Foundation is dedicated to shaping our state’s health care future. We proudly contribute to this transformative journey of empowering students, supporting communities and imagining a healthier future for all South Carolinians.