The Latest from Greenville Technical College with Dr. Jermaine Whirl, VP of Economic Development and Corporate Training
Tuesday, January 31st, 2017
We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Jermaine Whirl, Vice President of Economic Development and Corporate Training for Greenville Technical College. During our interview, Dr. Whirl shares his focus on the continuing education side of the institution and the work they are doing to prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow’s challenges.
Dr. Whirl offered, “I’ve really seen a change in the perceptions of technical colleges. I’ve worked for universities and technical colleges throughout my career. What I’ve learned is that the technical colleges are really focused on specific training needed for today’s workforce. Unlike many four-year degree concentrations that focus on theory, technical colleges do a great job of providing hands-on training and education for a plethora of career fields (i.e. allied health professionals, advanced manufacturing technicians, etc….)”
Dr. Whirl continued, “Greenville Technical College does two things specifically as it relates to economic development. We work with our area development corporation to help recruit businesses that are considering moving to the area. We sit down with these companies and make sure we can provide the talent they need for a sustainable workforce.”
Moreover, we provide ongoing corporate training for already established businesses in Greenville to help them maintain a highly trained workforce. He continued, “I love this part of my job as I’m able to take all of the things we do within our academic curriculum, and customize it to meet the ongoing training needs for our business partners.”
Greenville Technical College provides high-quality learning opportunities at a cost people can afford from multiple locations throughout Greenville County. GTC serves approximately 12,000 students each semester who are enrolled in academic studies. In addition, the college also serves another 12,000-14,000 students through continuing education each year. Since its beginning in 1962, the college has worked with employers to deliver relevant skills, giving students what they need to qualify for good jobs and succeed in their careers.
GTC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and provides associate-level two-year degrees. The college is governed by the Greenville Technical College Area Commission. GTC’s president is Dr. Keith Miller.
Dr. Whirl added, “The county and the Greenville Area Development Corporation have strategic plans that target specific industries for area growth. We respond with creating training facilities and developing programs to match those desired outcomes. Everything we do is to build or maintain local workforce levels.”
The main campus for Greenville Technical College is located at 506 South Pleasantburg Drive near downtown. GTC offers multiple campus locations throughout Greenville County. The Benson campus serves residents in Greer and Taylors. The Brashier campus serves Mauldin, Simpsonville and Fountain Inn. The Northwest campus serves the communities of Travelers Rest, Berea and West Greenville. The Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI) is an advanced manufacturing training facility located on the Millennium Campus.
The college also features an Admissions & Registration Center at McAlister Square along with the McKinney Automotive Center training facility and the Buck Mickel Center for continuing education. GTC also features the Aircraft Maintenance and Truck Driver Training hub.
Dr. Whirl offered, “The CMI is our latest addition in terms of new facilities. We just opened the doors last year. When businesses visit our CMI facility they are blown away. This facility alone has been a significant game changer in regards to economic development in Greenville County. Within this facility and others we offer training programs to meet local business needs for the incumbent workforce as well as new employees. Specifically, companies come to us for training in mechatronics, CNC, machine tool, 3D printing, metrology and other advanced manufacturing training needs.”
“The unemployment rate in Greenville County was 3.5% unadjusted in December of 2016. Our graduate placement rate hovers in the mid 80 percentile for students placed in field. A lot of our four-year partners can’t say that. This can be attributed to our strong connections with business and industry.”
“All of the programs of study, whether in health care or business and technology -- have been driven by industry. I think that’s why we have been so successful. We work with local advisory groups twice a year to stay abreast of what the community workforce needs are to stay relevant in the curriculum we teach,” he said. Our allied health field is a great example of this. I always tell people, you’ll see seven Greenville Tech graduates before you see the MUSC physician. That’s because we graduate the EMTs, nurses, radiologic technologists, respiratory professionals, surgical technicians and a host of other healthcare professions.”
Dr. Whirl concluded, “All of these things have helped us to develop a workforce that is scalable and responsive. We’ve seen an upswing in students who pursue a two-year degree and/or technical training to start their careers while having a pathway to a baccalaureate degree if they so choose, through our extensive transfer agreements.”
Dr. Whirl joined Greenville Technical College in October 2016. Prior to joining Dr. Miller’s cabinet, he served as a dean of Business Sciences and Art & Design for Gwinnett Technical College. Along the way, he served in numerous roles for Georgia Southern University, South University, Toccoa Falls College, Savannah Technical College, East Georgia State College and Kennesaw State University. He is a high performing administrator with more than 10 years of experience in education, specifically in institutional advancement, economic development and academic affairs.
Dr. Whirl graduated from Valdosta State University with his doctor of education in organizational leadership with a 4.0 GPA and high distinction. He serves as a board member for the Greenville County Workforce Development Board and the South Carolina Works Committee in Greenville County.
Dr. Whirl shared, “Our local employers are struggling to find good skilled trades people, IT professionals, mechanics and more. This gives us more exposure because we have the faculty expertise, facilities, and technology to provide entry to advanced level training in these areas.”
He continued, “Today, a welder with an associate degree can make $70,000 or more right out the door, and through an education that can be completed in less than two years. That’s significant. This is changing lives and there are more of those opportunities out there now than we’ve ever seen before. We regularly reach out to our local middle and high school students to let them know what opportunities are available to them. We need to continue to get the word out there to make sure our residents are aware of the many opportunities available.”
Dr. Whirl concluded, “Greenville Technical College’s mission is centered on workforce development. We also want to make sure our area startups, as well as established companies know we provide corporate training services. We work with many local businesses already and just want to make sure our community knows that we are here to help.”