SCADA & Apprenticeship Carolina Launch South Carolina Auto Tech Development Program (SCATD)

COLUMBIA, SC –September 19, 2022– The South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (SCADA) and Apprenticeship Carolina officially announced and launched SCADA’s new automotive tech branch, The South Carolina Auto Tech Development program: SCATD.

SCATD, which was officially rolled out today at the SC Automotive, Collision, & Diesel Instructors Conference in Columbia, hosted by the South Carolina Transportation & Education Business Alliance (SCTEBA), is designed to connect students, graduates, and prospective auto techs with the resources they need to begin or progress their career in the automotive service world.

During the strategic development phase of the program, SCADA & Apprenticeship Carolina, a division of the SC Technical College System, formed a partnership in which the SCATD program was registered with the U.S. Department of Labor in order to maximize apprenticeship opportunities for both auto technicians and New Franchised Car Dealerships. 

“This progressive partnership provides a wonderful opportunity to build South Carolina’s talent pipeline in a high-demand field. Registered apprenticeship programs are a proven workforce development tool. We are pleased to be working with SC Automobile Dealers Association to expand this valuable workforce solution across the state and prepare prospective auto techs with a clear pathway to a rewarding career,” said Dr. Amy Firestone, VP for Apprenticeship Carolina.  SCATD’s ultimate goal is to recruit the best techs that South Carolina has to offer through one-on-one program personalization. Program enrollees have access to complete tool sets worth up to $10,000, scholarship funds, and direct placements in 1 of 272 SCADA Members’ New Franchised Car Dealerships.

SCATD will also host Career Signing Days where individuals will be awarded a certificate, “sign” with SCATD, and be recognized for their accomplishments in front of peers, family, and administrators. Program recruits who are students also receive an honor chord to wear proudly at graduation.

Sims Floyd, Executive Vice President of SCADA, describes the program as a “watershed moment in the development of service techs in South Carolina. We believe this career path is a great path to a quality of life. We want to help these students realize their dream is a great dream, a great career, and a great way to a quality of life.”

SCATD is funded by SCADA, SCATD New Franchised Car Dealer Members, and potential grants applied for through Apprenticeship Carolina.