The History of Trident Technical College
In 1964, the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Technical Education Center was established as part of a statewide system founded by Gov. Ernest F. Hollings to meet the education and training needs of South Carolina. The center opened with two buildings and 226 students. In 1973, to accommodate its increasing growth, the center merged with Palmer College, a private business college in downtown Charleston. The combined Palmer College and B-C-D Technical Education Center became Trident Technical College. In 1982, the College built its Berkeley Campus near Moncks Corner. Four years later, the Palmer Campus moved to its current peninsula site. Since 1986, TTC has continued its planned renovation of the Palmer Campus. The final renovation phase, completed in spring 2001, created a new front entrance to the campus building as well as expanded library facilities, labs, classrooms and offices. To accommodate future growth, in 1993 the College purchased 117 acres of land next to its Main Campus.

The following year, TTC purchased 30 acres of land and buildings adjacent to its Main Campus. In 1997, the College opened the first phase of the Complex for Economic Development on this 30-acre site. In 2002, the College purchased the North Rivers Commerce Center, two buildings located off Rivers Avenue on Mabeline Road, to accommodate increasing student growth and the need for more office space.

The College completed additional components of the Complex for Economic Development during the 2005-06 academic year. The Culinary Institute of Charleston and the Information Technology Center opened in August 2005. The Industrial Maintenance Technology Center, The Learning Center and the Aeronautical Training Center opened to students in 2006. Additional areas opened in 2006, including a Nursing Auditorium; the Industrial Maintenance Technology Center with electrical, mechanical and industrial maintenance labs; science labs and general classrooms.

TTC offers more than 150 programs of study in a variety of technical and career areas, as well as programs for those who plan to continue their education at a four-year college.