April 25, 2025 | Stay Connected, Stay Informed

FBI Construction to Build Schaeffler Manufacturing Technology Academy

Northeastern Technical College (NETC) is proud to announce that FBI Construction of Florence, SC has been awarded the contract to build the new Schaeffler Manufacturing Technology Academy on the college’s Cheraw campus. This state-of-the-art, 27,500-square-foot facility will serve as a hands-on training center for advanced manufacturing to train future workforce technicians for local industry.

The total approved budget for the new training center is $7.6 million.

The Schaeffler Manufacturing Technology Academy is a vision of both NETC and Schaeffler. The facility will feature specialized areas for advanced training programs for high-demand and high-pay careers in electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, production operation, machine tooling, and CNC operation.

“This new facility isn’t just bricks and mortar—it’s a launchpad for student success and long-term community prosperity,” said NETC President, Dr. Kyle Wagner. “We’re not just training workers—we’re building futures.”

The long-standing apprenticeship program between NETC and Schaeffler, has already produced hundreds of graduates since 1988. With a high retention rate, many apprenticeship alumni have built lasting careers with Schaeffler. In a historic first, Schaeffler will launch eight apprenticeship cohorts in Fall 2025, signaling growth and career opportunity.

The Schaeffler Manufacturing Technology Academy will ensure that students not only gain cutting-edge skills but also secure well-paying jobs that support their families following graduation, while keeping Schaeffler at the forefront of innovation and global manufacturing excellence.

Alumni Tiffany Covington Featured on SC's StartCollegeHere website

ECD Instructor Marlowe Harrington is with Tiffany Covington at the SC Legislative Luncheon held February 26 at the SC State House in Columbia.

Tiffany Covington knows all about starting over—and finishing strong. She’s shared her inspiring journey on the South Carolina Technical College System’s (SSCTEA) Start College Here website, where current and former students talk about their success at technical colleges across the state.

Tiffany first enrolled at Northeastern Technical College (NETC) in 2001, but life had other plans. With two young daughters and serious health issues, she had to put her dreams on hold. Not once, but twice, Tiffany faced and beat cancer. Through it all, her daughters were her motivation to keep going.

She made herself a promise: when her girls graduated high school, she would go back to college—and she did. In 2018, she earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Education from NETC. That led her to Grand Canyon University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, even as she faced more health challenges.

Today, Tiffany works in a high school, helping students with learning disabilities. She teaches life skills, builds confidence, and makes learning fun and personal for every student.

Her story is one of faith, resilience, and love—and a reminder that no matter where you start, it’s never too late to finish what you began.

NETC Explores Partnership with Vantem to Boost Construction Program

Northeastern Technical College Continuing Education Director, Michael Thomas, and instructors Stephen Johnson and Harry Deweese recently visited Vantem Industries in Clio, for a guided tour of the facility. The visit was an effort to collaborate with Vantem and NETC’s Marlboro campus, to support the college’s new construction technology program. 

Vantem, a leader in energy-efficient, factory-built structures, recently expanded its footprint with the acquisition of Clio-based Arris Manufacturing. The company’s commitment to reducing project and financing costs aligns with NETC’s mission to provide students with cutting-edge, career-ready skills. The developing partnership between Vantem and NETC aims to create hands-on training opportunities and a pipeline of skilled workers for the construction industry.

Pace Attends National Conference on Prison Education Reform

NETC Dean of Students, Danielle Pace recently attended the 14th Annual National Conference on Higher Education in Prison (NCHEP) in New Orleans, LA. The conference brought together educators, leaders, and advocates from across the country to discuss how college programs in prison support, personal growth and reduces recidivism. 

This year’s conference focused on the theme, “A New Era? Pell Reinstatement and the Future of Prison Education.” With the return of Pell Grants for incarcerated learners, conference goers learned how these changes will shape the future of higher education in prisons.

In 2016, NETC was selected as one of 67 colleges in the United States to participate in a pilot program allowing incarcerated individuals to gain education and training while in prison so they can find employment following release. Due to the success of the experiment, funding expanded in 2023 to include incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities throughout South Carolina. 

Culinary Students Provide Great Eats

Culinary students Dealie Willams and Ruby Brown along with NETC Culinary Instructor Sha'Kira Gattison prepared a treat for NETC employees this week as they wrap up their first semester of the Culinary Arts program.

On the menu... Shrimp and Grits, Eggs and Bacon, and Fried Chicken and Waffles.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce, Today!

Instructors from NETC's Nursing Department. Lori Rivers, Hope Pigg, and Tracey Patrick attended the Chesterfield Ruby Middle School Career Day along with Machine Tool Technology Instructor Alex Byrd.

During the event, instructors were able to meet with students and share insights into careers in both the Nursing and Workforce fields. Nursing faculty brought the infant simulation manikin along allowing students listen to a heartbeat and check the pulse, among other activities. Instructor Alex Byrd shared blueprints of machining projects completed during lab work and discussed apprenticeship opportunities through Schaeffler Manufacturing.

These hands-on demonstrations were enlightening to the students and we hope they will become future NETC Trailblazers.

Career Day at CHS: Staff Give Back

Northeastern Technical College Nursing Instructor Claudia McCollum demonstrates the use of a stethoscope with students from Cheraw High School this week during the school's Career Day.

The event, which is designed to introduce high school students to different career fields also provided the nursing department with the opportunity to show off one of the cutting edge simulation manikins used with nursing students.

The infant manikin, much like the adult versions, is designed to mimic the physical characteristics and responses of real patients – such as blinking, breathing, and heart beatings.

Don't Miss The April 30th Deadline! Nominate Your Employee of Semester

Nominations are now open for Northeastern Technical College's Faculty, Staff, and Administrator of the Semester! NETC employees can help the college celebrate those who go above and beyond to serve our students while exemplifying our core values.

This semester the nomination form has been updated to better capture the exceptional achievements of our colleagues for Spring 2025. This includes a new section asking how the nominees excels in areas related to our Core Values of Quality, Collaboration, Positive Attitude, Communication, Innovation, and Accountability.

Employees nominate more than one employee in a category by completing a separate form per nominee. Nominations must be made before Noon on April 30.

Please look for an Email from HR with the link to the Nomination Form.

Registration Is Open for Summer Term

With longer days and warmer weather on the way, Northeastern Technical College is preparing for the upcoming summer semester. Offering flexible start dates and a wide range of classes, NETC provides students with opportunities to catch up, get ahead, and make the most of their summer.

The semester officially begins on May 19 and runs through August 3. However, Northeastern offers several short summer sessions—including 5, 7.5, and 10-week terms—with classes starting in May and June. The multiple term options, make it easy to fit college into any schedule.

May 19 – First 5-week term and 10-week term begin

June 2 – First 7.5-week term begins

June 23 – Second 5-week term begins

Classes will be on available both on campus, and online. The schedule includes many courses approved for transfer to 4-year universities, which is perfect for students returning home for the summer, or recent high school graduates looking to get a head start and save on their 4-year degree. NETC also has a number of workforce programs on the schedule, these are designed to provide students with the skills for high-demand, and high-paying jobs in the community. 

For the most up-to-date listing of open classes, view the class schedule online by clicking the button below. 

NETCALENDAR

CHERAW CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION MAP

Construction will create changes to entries,

walkways and parking on the Cheraw Campus.

Access into the college campus is being restricted to entry through the 200 Building (Hampton Hall) for ALL STUDENTS, and 100 Building (Ingram Hall) for all Employees and Visitors. The Northeastern Technical College quad is accessible from all buildings.

NORTHEASTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE

1201 Chesterfield Highway Cheraw, SC 29520

www.netc.edu (843) 921-6900