TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS DEEP APPRECIATION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM ON "SOUTH CAROLINA TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM DAY" ON APRIL 3, 2019, FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN EDUCATING AND TRAINING SOUTH CAROLINA'S WORKFORCE FOR COMPETITIVE, HIGH-DEMAND JOBS IN OUR STATE.

Whereas, serving over one hundred twelve thousand students across our State through credit programs, the Technical College System is dedicated to providing training and educational opportunities that promote economic and workforce development in our State; and

Whereas, the sixteen institutions in South Carolina that comprise the System have established an unparalleled record of excellence in meeting the educational and training needs of business and industry in their respective communities; and

Whereas, these institutions make a quality higher education accessible and affordable to all South Carolinians and, in turn, educate and train the majority of our state's first-generation college students; and

Whereas, nearly sixty percent of all South Carolinians enrolled as undergraduates in South Carolina's public higher educational institutions attend one of the System's sixteen technical colleges; and

Whereas, ninety-five percent of the students enrolled in these colleges are South Carolinians being educated and trained to live and work in our State, and the System boasts an eighty-nine percent placement rate for students upon their graduation; and

Whereas, readySC™, the state's premier economic development recruiting and training program, plays an integral role in South Carolina's efforts in economic development, having trained nearly two hundred ninety thousand people for jobs in our State since 1961; and

Whereas, the state's registered apprenticeship program, Apprenticeship Carolina™, has earned national and international recognition as the fastest growing, most innovative program in the nation, increasing the number of registered apprentices in South Carolina from seven hundred seventy-seven in 2007 to over twenty-eight thousand today; and

Whereas, in recognition and appreciation for the South Carolina Technical College System, Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed April 3, 2019, as "South Carolina Technical College System Day"; and

Whereas, the General Assembly joins with Governor McMaster in expressing deep appreciation to these fine institutions and statewide programs for their role in enhancing the employability of our citizens by providing quality training and education with job-ready credentials for successful employment; and

Whereas, the General Assembly encourages all South Carolinians to recognize the South Carolina Technical College System for their positive contributions which help to ensure South Carolina's continued competitiveness through a well-educated and well-trained workforce. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and express deep appreciation to the South Carolina Technical College System on "South Carolina Technical College System Day" on April 3, 2019, for their outstanding contributions in educating and training South Carolina's workforce for competitive, high-demand jobs in our State.