Kevin Floyd of Midlands Technical College
If you drive along I-77 just north of Columbia, you can’t miss the Scout Motors plant under construction. Steel is rising in Blythewood for what is expected to be one of the most significant economic development projects South Carolina has seen.
Scout Motors, a Volkswagen subsidiary, plans to begin producing electric and hybrid trucks and SUVs at the 1,100-acre site by late 2027. The $2+ billion investment is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs, with an additional $300 million supplier park adding roughly 1,000 more. Like BMW in the Upstate and Volvo and Boeing in the Lowcountry, Scout’s impact is expected to further ripple across the entire I-77 corridor and beyond.
Preparing a workforce for that scale of opportunity is where Midlands Technical College comes in.
Prepared for the Moment and the Future
Kevin Floyd, who works with workforce and economic development leaders as the school’s assistant vice president for marketing, says they’ve been planning for moments like this long before Scout announced its arrival.
“Across the nation, demand for skilled trades professionals is surging and the supply simply is not keeping pace,” Floyd said. “At Midlands Technical College, we’re not just watching this trend unfold. We’re taking bold steps to change the narrative.”
Those steps include a major expansion of skilled trades training across Midlands Tech’s Airport, Beltline, and Northeast campuses in and around Columbia. With $28.5 million in state funding allocated in the 2025 budget, the college is investing in programs that address the backbone of modern industry.
Training in Automotive Technology, Electrical and Electronics, HVAC/R, Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Welding, Precision Machining, Plumbing, and Building Construction are all being strengthened with updated labs, modern equipment, and hands-on learning environments designed to mirror real job sites.
“These aren’t just classes,” Floyd said. “They’re career launchpads.”
Scout Motors has helped accelerate that momentum. In partnership with the company, Midlands Tech launched a new Electric Vehicle Engineering Technology certificate program that blends electrical and mechanical engineering skills specifically for EV manufacturing.
A Direct Pathway to the Production Floor
Drawing on the school’s decades of experience across multiple industries, the new program will create a direct pathway from the classroom to the production floor, while complementing existing programs in automotive technology, electronics engineering technology, mechatronics, and mechanical engineering technology.
“The Scout Motors production center is positioned to be the foundation of a manufacturing renaissance in the Midlands,” Floyd said. “We didn’t just watch the EV revolution roll in. We jumped in headfirst.”
Another critical piece of that preparation is the Cornerstone Economic Development and Workforce Training Center. At 41,000 square feet, Cornerstone was designed as a flexible hub for hands-on technical training, certifications, and customized workforce solutions.
While it’s currently supporting training and hiring tied to Scout Motors, Floyd emphasizes that its mission is much bigger.
“No one can predict what employer will be using Cornerstone two decades from now,” he said. “Its purpose extends far beyond today’s demands. It’s built to meet whatever workforce needs come next.”
Customizing Corporate Training
As the third-largest education provider in South Carolina and the largest technical college in the system, Midlands Tech serves more than 25,000 academic, corporate, and continuing education students each year.
Much of its corporate training is customized directly with employers, allowing curricula to stay current as technology and processes change.
Looking ahead, Floyd says the challenge is clear. “The talent gap isn’t a buzzword. It’s real, and it’s touching every sector of our economy.”
Meeting that challenge means continued growth, especially in high-demand areas like mechatronics and advanced manufacturing. It also means investing in realistic training environments, from welding bays to automated assembly line labs.
“For us, this is about more than buildings or equipment,” Floyd said. “It’s about creating family-sustaining careers for our students and making sure the I-77 region remains competitive for decades to come.”
An Alignment with the Alliance
That long-term, regional mindset is also why Midlands Technical College became an investor in the S.C. I-77 Alliance.
“The missions of Midlands Tech and the I-77 Alliance are closely aligned,” Floyd said. “The I-77 corridor is the epicenter of South Carolina’s EV manufacturing boom, and with Scout Motors programs based at our Northeast Campus, we’re positioned to drive training for both EV production and the fast-growing electric vehicle supply industry.”
Floyd adds that collaboration is essential to keeping education aligned with employer needs. “Building strong industries requires open communication and cooperation with economic development groups,” he said. “Partnerships like the Alliance ensure our programs evolve alongside the companies investing along the corridor.”
Investor Spotlight focuses on investors in the S.C. I-77 Alliance — organizations that span utilities, law firms, educational institutions, developers, and more. For more information, contact us here.
