February 17, 2010... Trident Technical College announced today that it will receive $2.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds over the next three years for the Trident Healthcare Careers Project.

The U.S. Department of Labor grant will be used to increase the number of academic nursing and continuing education health care program graduates entering the work force. The funds will also allow the college to provide support services that will help promote student success, retention and employment after graduation.

"The most pressing immediate local needs for health care workers are in the fields of nursing and medical assisting where a wealth of job opportunities exist," said Dr. Mary Thornley, TTC president. “This is not a bricks and mortar grant. The focus of this grant is to provide personnel so that we can increase the number of health care program graduates and retain students already in the pipeline. We are very grateful for Congressman Clyburn’s help in securing this highly competitive grant.”

TTC is one of only two organizations in the state to receive funding from the $225 million in federal grant funds dedicated for health care and high growth training across the country.

"I commend Trident Tech and its partners for submitting this award-winning grant that will help meet the health care demands in the Lowcountry for years to come," Sixth District Congressman and House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn said. "This Recovery Act grant is going to train health care workers for sustainable jobs of the future."

Partnering with TTC on the project are: the Trident Workforce Investment Board, Trident One Stop Career System, Trident Health System, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, East Cooper Regional Medical Center, the Tri-County Black Nurses Association, the Franklin C. Fetter Community Health Center and the S.C. Nurses Association.