Senator Graham Breaks Ground on New Welding Center at Greenville Technical College
SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) joined officials from Greenville Technical College on Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the ‘Center for Welding and Automation Excellence,’ a significant new facility set to enhance the college’s welding program. The $22 million project, located at the Brashier Campus, will consolidate the entire welding curriculum under one roof within a spacious 44,000 square-foot building.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Center will feature classrooms and advanced welding labs to train students in various specialized areas, including artificial intelligence welding, robotics welding, nondestructive testing, pipe welding, and laser welding. Notably, the expansion will also strengthen the college’s capabilities by increasing robotic stations from 90 to 140.
Senator Graham highlighted the potential impact of the facility, noting that it aligns with workforce needs in the region. “These are high-paying jobs, and having a good workforce is essential to recruit businesses and support existing ones,” he stated. The funding includes $2.98 million from federal sources, alongside $15 million from the South Carolina General Assembly.
With an estimated 400,000 welding job openings across the nation and a stark shortage of prepared workers, the need for skilled welders is critical. “As industries grow, so does the demand for technicians trained in the latest technologies,” said Dr. Keith Miller, President of Greenville Tech.
The Center for Welding and Automation Excellence is expected to be operational by Fall 2026, promising to equip students with the skills necessary for a rapidly evolving job market.
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