Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an educational strategy for providing young people with the academic, technical, and employability skills and knowledge to pursue postsecondary training or higher education and enter a career field prepared for ongoing learning. Research from the Center for Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University debunks the oft-cited myth that the economy lacks jobs for young people to fill, finding instead that industries across the economy have created a wealth of new jobs that require workers with appropriate education and training. Our goal at Dillon County Technology Center is to help students develop skills in their chosen career paths through the use of instruction, hands on activities, and real world application.  In an effort to ensure students are on a vocational pathway that best meets their needs and matches their goals, students from our feeder schools (Latta, Dillon, and Lake View) are encouraged to enroll in the program of their choice.
The Automotive Technology Department at the Dillon County Technology Center is Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES) certified and a nationally certified Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) by National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, Inc. (NATEF). This department is the only AYES program in the Pee Dee area. This course provides training and development of skills needed to inspect, diagnose and repair automobiles. This is a two year course, which consists of Intro to the Automobile, Shop Safety, Brakes, Electrical/Electronics, Suspension/Steering, and Engine Performance. Scholarship opportunities are offered through Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Charlotte, NC and Lincoln Technical College in Nashville, Tennessee. This course prepares student to become ASE certified in four of the eight areas. The AYES programs provides job opportunities for students as interns in the workplace their junior and senior year of high school. This gives the student interns hands-on training in the workplace with on-site job evaluation by mentors. The Automotive program has articulation agreement with: Lincoln Technical College and UTI.
Mr. Ronnie Webster has been in the automotive field his entire life and the Automotive Instructor for 21 years.
The Building Construction program is immersed in a curriculum from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) where they learn the materials and process for masonry, electrical, carpentry, plumbing, blueprint reading and estimating. Students will also be involved in extensive safety training to include hand and power tools. Instruction is supplemented by a variety of hands-on projects and activities. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to gain national industry certification through the NCCER training program.
Mr. Spencer McKenzie is in his second year as Building Construction, Instructor. He has more than 21 years in the industry.
The Business Management programs play a prominent role in preparing students to become responsible citizens, capable of making the astute economic decisions that will benefit their personal and professional lives. Using the concepts described in state standards, business teachers introduce students to the basics of personal finance, the decision-making techniques needed to be wise consumers, the economic principles of an increasingly international marketplace, and the processes by which businesses operate. In addition, these standards provide a solid educational foundation for students who want to successfully complete college programs in various business disciplines.
The Business Management offers a number of courses that prepare students for entry-level employment: Web Page Design 1 & 2, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Desktop Publishing, Google Applications and Social Media in Business. Students can become Adobe Certified Expert Certification (ACE), ACE Certification In-design, Google Certification, Dream Weaver, and Flash 2.
Mrs. Linda Turner has been the Business Management Instructor for 15 years.
The Cosmetology program is certified by the South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology. The Cosmetology program is a two year course and students receive a total of six Carnegie units. Students who enter the class must take Cosmetology 1 & 2, complete 1500 hours, and must be sixteen years of age. The Cosmetology Program is designed to prepare the student to qualify for the South Carolina licensing examination.  The student receives training in the art of science of the care and beautification of hair, skin, and nails. This course of study includes scalp treatments, hair shaping, hair styling, setting, waving, hair coloring, and shampoos and rinses. Care of skin and nails includes manicuring and pedicuring massage, facials, makeup application, and hair removal. Instruction in chemistry, bacteriology, and anatomy and physiology of the face, head, arms, and hands is incorporated by means of theory and of practical application on both mannequins and live models. Also included in the course of study is salon planning and management.
Ms. Alanda LeGrand, Instructor, has been the Cosmetology instructor for 8 years and her student pass rate has been 95%.
Culinary Arts is a nationally ceritfied program that introduces students to a wide variety of careers in the hospitality  industry. The curriculum is based on a study of food preparation, lodging, customer service and business management. Students can earn a national certifticate that will give them college credit and scholarship opportunties. To earn a national certificate, students will need to obtain 400 hours, earn 70% or higher in both classes and  pass both year 1 and 2 national exams. In addition, students may earn national certification in Managers ServSafe, a food safety and sanitation training program. Students who receive the certifciate are eligible for National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) scholarship opportunities and college course credit at more than 75 of the USA leading hospitality and culinary arts colleges and universities. The Culinary Art program has articulation agreements with Johnson and Wales University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
Mrs. Bonnie Barfield has been the Culinary Arts Instructor for 15 years. Her student pass rate for national certification is 100%.
The Health Science program is a secondary program of study that promotes health career opportunities to students in grades 10-12. Integration of health science courses, work-based learning experiences, HOSA-Future Health Professionals activities, and academics allow students to make informed decisions regarding an array of careers and educational pursuits. This program is designed to provide for further development and application of knowledge and skills common to a wide variety of healthcare professions. The students in this program will build on all information and skills presented in the previous required course foundation standards. The student, teachers, and work-based learning coordinators will work together to create opportunities for the students to get the best experience available in the districts geographic region. Under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, students are prepared to perform nursing-related services to patients and residents in hospitals or long-term care facilities. Students enrolled in this course as their 4th earned unit are considered completers in the Health Science Program and are expected to take the end of the program National Health Science Assessment and Certified Nursing Assistant exam.
Mrs. Trappier has been the Health Science instructor for 5 years and has been a Registered Nurse for 28 years.
 The Information Technology (IT) course introduces students to the skills & technique required to analyze problems and define the computing solutions, with a focus on how to troubleshoot, build a personal computer, implement and evaluate a computer-based system. Students learn to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society. The IT course assist students in recognizing the need for continuing professional development and imparts an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues in information technology. Courses offered in the IT department are:  Computer Support and Repair, Advanced Computer Support and Repair, Computer Programming, and Video Game Design Foundations.
Information Technology (IT) careers are among the top 10 careers and these professionals are highly trained and skilled in what they do!  IT careers are available in every sector of the economy.  These courses are college prep courses and are designed for students who are going on to college and/or technical school.  Students receive diverse post-high school education and training opportunities, and apprenticeships.
Mrs. Linda Locklear has been the Information Technology instructor for 16 years with more than 21 years of experience in the industry.
  The Law Enforcement program is an overview of the criminal justice process. Students will learn the duties and responsibilities of the police, courts, and corrections. Included in this course is historical development of the systems, study of landmarks, and Supreme Court decisions that impact criminal justice. Physical fitness and field trips will be taken with parental consent to various locations.  Professional law enforcement personnel will provide lectures and demonstrations during the semester. The introduction course is designed to give students an insight into the beginning of law enforcement, consisting of theory by lectures.
Mr. Randy Tyler has been the instructor for two years Law Enforcement. He has more than 15 years in law enforcement. His most recent work was as a Shift Supervisor for the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office.
The Masonry program is NCCR certified an instructional program designed to encourage students to understand the history of masonry. Students will be able to identify commonly used power tools of the construction trade, use power tools safely, and explain how to maintain power tools properly, explain the importance of the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) requirement and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDs). Students will recognize and identify basic blueprint terms, components, and symbols, relate information on blueprints to actual locations on the print., recognize different classifications of drawings and Interpret and use drawing dimensions. Understand the organization of residential plans and drawings. Identify and explain the characteristics, uses, and installation techniques for brick pavers, lay out and construct steps, patios, and decks made from masonry units. All students are certified in Masonry Construction Safety and receive a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Blue card that is accepted nationally.
Mr. William Salmon has been the Masonry Instructor for 14 years and he has more than 28 years of experience in the brick laying profession.
Mechatronics Integrated Technologies is an interdisciplinary field involving mechanical, Instrumentation, Electronics, Robotics/Automation, Computer Components, Control Systems, and welding. This program prepares students who like to work with their hands as well as their minds. Mechatronics is a dynamic field that changes daily with the rapid improvements in technology and computer systems. Systems are networked to meet the demands of automated manufacturing processes, and technicians are trained to meet necessary entry-level industrial skills and entry into a post-secondary program at a technical college.
Mr. Bullard has been teaching at the technology center for 25 years. He brings a lifelong list of diverse educational and industrial experience with knowledge, skills, and abilities from Aviation Manufacturing to local Industrial Maintenance technical experience.
The Nail Technology program is certified by the South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology. The Nail Technology program is a one year course and students receive a total of four Carnegie units. Students who enter the class must take Nail Technology 1 & 2, complete 300 hours, and must be sixteen years of age. The Nail Technology Program is designed to prepare the student to qualify for the South Carolina licensing examination.  The students will be able to work immediately in nail salon, full service salon, day or medical spas upon state certification.
This course of study includes instruction in nail diseases and disorders, chemistry, biology and anatomy, and physiology of the arms, hands, and feet.  Also included in the course of study is salon planning and management. Forty hours of classroom instruction are required before students receive practical, hands-on opportunities to apply skills. Students will get to compete in local, state, and national competitions, attend free seminars on the latest beauty trends, hear guest speakers from the industry, work with the latest nail products and become a member of the prestigious Skills USA.
Mrs. Kimberly Page has been the Nail Technology, she is a first year instructor and she has been working in the nail industry for 24 years.
Dillon County Technology Center offers technical training in twelve (11) different programs areas. Courses are nine weeks, semester, and year-long. Students can begin taking courses their sophomore year of high school. For more information on how your child can become a part of CTE please contact Carolyn Crawford, School Counselor at 843-774-5143 or email me at ccrawford@dillonatech.com or visit your local high school guidance office. For a list of all programs please visit our website at http://www.dillonatech.com/ or Facebook page.