FY 2013-2014 Legislative Priorities
Each year, we develop legislative priorities based on the needs of the colleges as a whole. In FY 2013-2014, the South Carolina Technical College System's priorities include funding increases for:
Lottery Tuition Assistance
$49.1 million
One in three South Carolina technical college students relies on LTA. This funding provides access to affordable higher education and training necessary to enter or remain in the workforce. Since its inception in 2002, over 300,000 LTA awards have been made.
Base Funding for the System
Increase of $7.75 Million
South Carolina’s technical colleges have continued to follow their legislative mandate of low tuition and fees. Since the onset of
the economic downturn in 2008, the System has been able to continue providing a high quality, accessible and affordable higher
education to South Carolinians through cost savings, efficiency efforts and increased enrollment at our institutions. However, as
enrollment begins to level and taper off, the System will face the difficult challenge of continuing to fulfill our mandate with a lack
of increased state resources coupled with declining enrollment. The System will continue with cost savings and efficiency efforts,
but seeks an increase in funding of $15,500,000 over a two-year period — $7,750,000 per year for FY13-14 and FY14-15 to assist with addressing this issue.
readySC™
$7.54 Million (Non-Recurring)
Last year, the System’s readySC™ program trained 4,186 employees for 79 companies—29 of which represented new companies to South Carolina. readySC is one of the state’s top incentives for companies creating new jobs with competitive wages and benefits. 85% of new companies to the state ranked the availability of readySC’s services as playing a significant role in their decision to relocate to South Carolina. Non-recurring funds for this program will ensure that funds are in place to assist eligible new and expanding companies in meeting their workforce needs in the upcoming year and fulfilling the needs of existing
commitments.
Equipment, Lab and Maintenance
$12.14 Million
The System is challenged to keep up with technological innovation and cutting-edge equipment and labs necessary to ensure the essential needs of high-demand career and technical education programs are met. The System requests $12,141,010, which represents one-year of a proposed four-year phase in and is vital for upgrading vocational and technical labs as well as purchasing high-tech equipment and simulators to meet the demands of business and industry. In addition, colleges would be able to bring facilities up to ADA and fire and safety regulations and begin to meet the most critical building and infrastructure needs.
Allied Health
$4 Million
Over the past five years, the System has increased Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing graduation rates by 33% and 44%. The System is optimally positioned to provide a statewide approach yet customize solutions locally to meet individual
community needs for the ever-increasing demand for qualified healthcare workers.
