Image by Clemson University The announcement of a $2.3 million National Science Foundation grant will help create the "Center for Aviation and Automotive Technology Education" using virtual and distance learning.

Thanks to a $2.3 million National Science Foundation grant for workforce training, Clemson University is forming relationships with technical colleges around the state to further training for the automative and aviation jobs.

The program aims to both educate citizens to find more work, and have a highly trained workforce to attract industry.

“Our goal is to develop more qualified technicians to work in industries that drive the nation’s economy,” said Anand K. Gramopadhye, director of the centers and chairman of Clemson's industrial engineering department.

South Carolina's new manufacturing industries need a trained labor force with the ability to learn and operate complex new systems, said S.C. Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt.

"We have many smart people across South Carolina and this project will help create many more," Hitt said. "We need to show the companies coming to South Carolina that the state is prepared." 

Clemson is planning to develop the program at these schools:

• Greenville Technical College for automotive and aviation engineering and virtual school technology;
• Florence-Darlington Technical College for distance learning, industry partnerships for technician education;
• Trident Technical College for aviation manufacturing; and
• Florence-Darlington Technical College to focus on expanding excellence in technician education.

You can learn a bit more in the college's release.