to recognize and congratulate the Pickens County Career & Technology Center as one of the leading Career and Technical Education centers in the Southeast, and for being ranked number one in South Carolina for Work-based learning experiences.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives congratulates the Pickens County Career & Technology Center (PCCTC) for its outstanding leadership not only in South Carolina, but across the Southeast; and

Whereas, the PCCTC serves approximately one thousand seven hundred students across Pickens County in grades eight through twelve. All four high schools and all five middle schools in the county are represented at the PCCTC. Students can complete courses and earn industry-recognized certifications in twenty-four Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways; and

Whereas, throughout the school year, the PCCTC hosts numerous elementary CTE outreach initiatives where students as young as kindergarten can participate in hands-on activities led by PCCTC students and instructors. The PCCTC works with all fourteen elementary schools and Project GO, the alternative education school in the county. With the support from the Pickens County School Board and superintendent, the PCCTC hosts two hundred students in sixth and seventh grades for their annual CTE Summer Camp at no cost to the students or their families; and

Whereas, student organizations at the PCCTC have been extremely successful over the years, competing at the national level in HOSA for health science students, VEX robotics for engineering students, DECA for business, marketing, and logistics students, and SkillsUSA, which feature students in trade skills such as machine tech, masonry, construction, and welding. Students in machine tech and welding also compete in a national competition hosted by the Department of Defense called Project MFG. This competition is geared primarily towards the college level, yet the PCCTC team consistently competes near the top in their region every year; and

Whereas, another exciting community initiative has been EmpowerUp. This is a partnership with the School District of Pickens County and Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) to bring adult workforce development offerings to Pickens County. The EmpowerUp partnership is being developed to offer a variety of fast, flexible, and locally relevant training programs at the PCCTC. The TCTC courses are specifically designed to promote and support adult student success, workforce development, the community, and local economy; and

Whereas, over the years, the PCCTC has been a key factor in the economic development in Pickens County and the surrounding areas. Some of the partnerships that have been established include companies such as FN America, Reliable Sprinklers, Arthrex, United Tool and Mold, JR Automation, Prisma Healthcare, Tri-County Technical College, and Clemson University, just to name a few; and

Whereas, building industry partnerships has led the PCCTC to be recognized as the top career center in South Carolina based on student work-based learning experiences for the Class of 2024 by the South Carolina Department of Education. While this accomplishment is truly an honor, the PCCTC continues to work hard on connecting our future workforce with industry. This year, the PCCTC is on track to pass last year’s total number of students placed in a work-based learning experience; and

Whereas, the Pickens County Career & Technology Center takes great pride in its accomplishments, yet remains committed to continuous improvement, always seeking new ways to better serve students and the community. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate the Pickens County Career & Technology Center as one of the leading career and technical education centers in the Southeast, and for being ranked number one in South Carolina for work-based learning experiences.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Pickens County Career & Technology Center.