York Tech offers free tuition, meets the region’s labor needs, and wants money to expand
One of the larger gathering spaces in York County could grow again, to help produce the growing workforce needed in a variety of industries.
York Technical College officials updated York County Council on Monday night with details of swelling enrollment, certification and workforce partnerships. Included are plans for a one-time request to the state legislature for $28 million to upgrade the Baxter Hood Center.
Assistant vice president of facilities management Robby Brown told Council there’s a need for expanded healthcare programs. A feasibility study will be done in the next three or four months. The school wants to develop a state of the art healthcare program. The study could reveal other options for the space too.
“We’ll also look at hospitality and culinary programs, which obviously that’s a big market in our area,” Brown said.
The Baxter Hood Center in Rock Hill has a history of hosting educational and civic events. Everything from public meetings or hearings to trade shows have been held there.
“It started out as a continuing education center and an event center,” Brown said. “It’s been used for various purposes over time.”
Expanded programming at York Tech would come at a time when students, business partnerships and other metrics continue to rise.
COVID recovery
The enrollment dip during the COVID-19 pandemic that reached across higher education hit York Tech too, said president Stacey Moore. This school year there have been more than 3,800 students each semester. Fall enrollment was down 8% from the prior year, but spring enrollment is up 3%. There has been a more than 30% increase in applications, Moore said.
“We’re seeing a recovery now,” Moore said.
Last school year, York Tech had 1,054 students complete program studies. Those students earned 1,461 awards or certifications. The number of students completing studies is up 29% in four years, and 65% in eight years. Total awards are up 44% in four years and 91% in eight years.
“The most important thing, they’re walking the finish line and getting done,” Moore said.
While larger universities can get outsized attention, York Tech gets local students. Moore pointed pointed to first-time freshman data from just prior to the pandemic. The University of South Carolina (264), Clemson University (220) and USC Lancaster (216) each drew more than 200 new students in 2019 from York, Lancaster and Chester counties. Winthrop University wasn’t far behind at 173 students.
York Tech had 736 students, almost three times more than any other single institution.
“This is all of the students that came out of all of the high schools in all three of those counties in 2019, where did they go to school?” Moore said. “Far and above, students went to York Tech.”
Business growth
York Tech has 128 acres of space, and 18 buildings on its main Rock Hill campus. The school has $3.7 million in 35 ongoing capital projects. Included is $1.2 million in building improvements. Some of that activity is routine maintenance. Some is in response to a growing need.
York Tech works with companies to provide workforce ready training. Corporate engagements — training, apprenticeships — are more than double in four years. More than half of current engagements, at 57%, are manufacturing companies. Municipalities are 14%. Telecommunications, healthcare and other businesses each account for 10% of corporate engagements.
“We actually are engaged with every single telecom company in all three counties,” Moore said.
Just last month, York Tech took nine of 12 awards at the Electrical Co-Ops of South Carolina Lineman’s Rodeo. The annual competition brings teams from across the state. Students from Rock Hill, Clover, Chester and Fort Lawn competed for York Tech in the technical college division.
“Students were able to demonstrate a portion of their skills in a competitive environment in front of potential employers from around the state,” said Sonia Young, assistant vice president of workforce and economic development at York Tech.
Also last month, the school expanded with a Pre-Police Academy Training certificate.
Free tuition
An undeniable factor in how many students choose York Tech is the free tuition.
Efforts from Gov. Henry McMaster and the state legislature have helped provide free courses, which Moore expects to continue at least through the spring of 2024.
“It is for all of our programs,” Moore said. “Credit and non-credit. So your workforce programs and the credit programs, and it is for all students.”
For the credit programs, students have to be enrolled in six credits to qualify.
Council Chairwoman Christi Cox sees quality programming at York Tech, which at no cost is a great benefit to students and parents.
“What better deal can you ask for than to have free tuition?” Cox said.
Councilman William “Bump” Roddey came to York Tech in 1992. A transfer student, Roddey decided at York Tech to study economics at Winthrop.
“York Tech actually helped me find myself as a student,” Roddey said. “The smaller class sizes, first-generation college student from the family. So it was really a blessing to have York Tech here.”
For Roddey, York Tech was an opportunity to stay and eat at home while pursuing higher education. For many during the tremendous job turnover caused by COVID, York Tech could be an opportunity to try a new occupation without the upfront costs. With at least another couple of tuition free years, increased student interest may well continue.
“Now is the time,” Moore said.
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 7:12 AM.
