The Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center kicked off its new Community Conversations series with Midlands Technical College President and CEO Gregory Little, who provided insight into the college's workforce development efforts.

Little has a 28-year career in education and previously served as superintendent of Lexington County School District One. In an earlier report from The Chronicle, Little resigned as superintendent in 2022 and accepted a new role as vice president of strategic partnerships and innovation with the S.C. Technical College System.

In 2024, Little was named the seventh president of Midlands Tech. He recently completed his first year in the role.

Midlands Tech is one of 16 technical colleges in South Carolina and serves around 25,000 students annually, with the average student age ranging from 25 to 26. The college also works with Fort Jackson to help veterans find jobs.

Little told attendees that around 83% of graduates remain in the Midlands and work locally in various industries.

The skilled trade programs have seen substantial growth over the years and are beyond capacity, he said. For example, the welding program filled up nine weeks before the deadline.

Skilled trade programs include welding, automotive technology, commercial driver's license, commercial graphics, construction, electrical and electronics, forklift operator, heavy equipment operator, HVAC/R, industrial maintenance, mechatronics, plumbing, precision machining, production and small engine repair.

With the program gaining popularity, plans are in place to expand both the program and the center.

Another growing sector at the technical college is healthcare. Little said the need for technicians who perform sonograms, mammograms, MRIs, CT scans and more has increased.

Little said the college’s apprenticeship program is the state’s largest provider and recently celebrated its 2,000th apprentice. These apprenticeships are available across different career fields, giving students real-world experience in their future professions.

For instance, the college has three active partnerships with Lexington Medical Center, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and a place to study.

Last year, around 1,500 students across the Midlands took dual enrollment courses at the college.

“Every student who walks through our doors, no matter if they’re 16, 30 or 50, we’re going to bend over backwards for and help them,” he said.

The Chamber will host another session in August with guest speaker Keith Price, superintendent of Lexington County School District One.