Dorchester Career and Technology Center

What Dorchester Career and Technology Center does

Dorchester County Career and Technology Center (DCCTC) is a public career and technical education institution founded by state legislation in 1972 and opened in Fall 1974 on a 32-acre campus in Dorchester, South Carolina. It serves high school students in grades 10-12 from five partner feeders — Dorchester School District Two, Dorchester School District Four, Dorchester Academy, Pinewood Prep, and Summerville Home Education Enriching Programs — across 17 programs of study including Architectural Design, Auto Collision Repair, Auto Technology, Building Construction, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Diesel Engine Technology, Electricity, EMS Technology, Firefighting, Health Science, Heavy Equipment Operation, Law Enforcement, Logistics & Distribution, Machine Technology, Media Technology, Nail Technology, and Welding. A satellite campus on Trolley Road in Summerville reopened in August 2016, housing Cosmetology, Health Science, Machine Technology, and Welding.

Programs integrate industry-grade equipment (SimLog heavy-equipment simulators, CNC machines, plasma cutters, 3D printers, down-draft paint booths, Kubota diesel engines) with embedded industry credentials (NCCER, OSHA, ASE, ServSafe, CNA/PCT, CDL, CLA/CLT, IFSTA Firefighter Level 1) and work-based learning via 60+ employer partners. Every instructor is hired directly from the industry they teach, and each program maintains its own advisory council drawn from the Lowcountry business community.

Revenue is provided through Dorchester School District Two, state education funding, and federal grants; no tuition is charged to students (optional lab fees of roughly $20/semester apply in select courses, and students purchase kits in cosmetology, nail technology, and culinary arts). The institution reports a 98% post-graduation placement rate (working, college, or military) within 18 months.

Name

Dorchester Career and Technology Center

Legal name

Dorchester County Career & Technology Center

Website

https://dcctc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dorchester County Career and Technology Center is a public secondary CTE institution in South Carolina operating across Dorchester and Summerville campuses, delivering 17 tuition-free career programs to high school students via five partner school districts, industry-hired instructors, and 60+ employer partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Supply Chain, Logistics & Procurement Certifications (EDAAANAK)

Keywords

• Career and technical education
• Skilled trades training
• High school vocational programs
• Industry certification training
• Workforce development education

Headquarters

HQ city

Dorchester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a public career and technology center, DCCTC is funded through Dorchester School District Two, state education funding, and federal grants. Students attend tuition-free as part of their high school education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DCCTC is a public career and technology education center that delivers tuition-free, hands-on training to high school students across 17+ programs spanning skilled trades (welding, machine technology, heavy equipment operation, electricity, diesel engine technology, building construction, auto collision repair, auto technology), healthcare (health science, EMS), public safety (firefighting, law enforcement), personal services (cosmetology, nail technology), and other fields (culinary arts, architectural design, media technology, agriculture/horticulture, logistics and distribution). Programs embed industry-recognized certifications (CNA, PCT, ServSafe, CDL, ASE, OSHA, NCCER, Kubota), dual-enrollment college credit through Trident Technical College, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, and ECPI University, and work-based learning opportunities coordinated with regional employers.

Product overview

Dorchester Career and Technology Center (DCCTC) is a career and technical education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of 17+ programs across skilled trades, healthcare, hospitality, and technology disciplines. The center operates as a multi-campus facility with its main campus in Dorchester and a satellite campus in Summerville, South Carolina. Programs range from automotive technology, welding, and building construction to health sciences, culinary arts, and logistics/distribution. The institution provides students with industry certifications, hands-on training, and work-based learning opportunities designed for direct workforce entry or continued technical education. Notable program-specific offerings include the Summer EV Camp for electric vehicle technology exploration, Kubota partnerships for diesel engine certification, and OSHA safety credential pathways in logistics programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career and Technology Education Programs (17+ Programs of Study) Comprehensive portfolio of career and technical education programs for high school students across automotive technology, welding, health sciences, culinary arts, building construction, and skilled trades, designed to prepare students for direct workforce entry or continued technical education.
• Summer EV Camp Summer camp program where students explore electric vehicle technology, designing and building model solar-powered cars, electric RC cars, and hydrogen electric cars while learning about BEVs, hybrid vehicles, and alternative fuel vehicles.
• Logistics and Distribution Program Four-level program covering warehouse operations, distribution logistics, inventory management, and supply chain operations with pathways to industry certifications including Certified Logistics Associate (CLA), Certified Logistics Technician (CLT), and OSHA safety credentials.
• Agriculture/Horticulture Program Program focusing on plant and soil science, wildlife management, and environmental conservation, featuring FFA chapter participation and statewide agricultural competitions.
• Health Science Program Healthcare career preparation program offering Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Patient Care Technician (PCT) certification pathways with 40-hour clinical internships at local healthcare facilities.
• Culinary Arts Program Comprehensive food service industry training covering culinary arts, pastry arts, hospitality management, and travel and tourism with ServSafe, National Pro Start, and CPR/first aid certifications.
• Diesel Engine Technology Program Entry-level diesel technician training with Kubota engine certification pathways and ASE certification preparation for heavy-duty vehicle inspection and repair.
• Electricity Program Residential, commercial, and industrial electrical training aligned with national electrical codes, featuring NCCER certification and apprenticeship program connections.
• Welding Program Hands-on welding training covering shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, and gas tungsten arc welding with competition preparation and industry certification pathways.
• Building Construction Program Carpentry and building trades training covering residential electricity, plumbing, masonry, and blueprint reading with apprenticeship and cooperative work experience opportunities.
• Cosmetology Program Hair care, nail, and esthetics training with state licensure exam preparation, including 400 contact hours in first year and 1,000 total hours combining theory and practice.
• Firefighting Program IFSTA-standard firefighting certification program preparing students for National Firefighter Level 1 certification with partnership with Dorchester County Fire and Rescue.
• Law Enforcement Program Criminal justice training covering search and arrest techniques, investigative procedures, forensic science, and police operations with CPR certification pathways.
• EMS Technology Program Emergency medical services training with first response certification through National Institutes of Health and American Heart Association, featuring hands-on scenarios using actual wrecked vehicles and staged injuries.
• Auto Collision Repair Program Automotive collision repair training covering MIG welding, plasma cutting, plastic welding, down draft paint booth operation, and computerized paint mixing with base/clear and urethane refinishing systems.
• Architectural Design and Drafting Program Computer-aided drafting (CAD) training with 2D and 3D techniques, CNC machine integration, 3D printing capabilities, and SkillsUSA competition participation.
• Machine Technology Program Metalworking and machining training covering lathe, milling machine, grinder, and CNC equipment operation with cooperative work experience and apprenticeship pathways.
• Media Technology Program Media production training covering television and radio broadcasting, print media, and digital platforms with hands-on studio and field production experiences.
• Heavy Equipment Operation Program Heavy equipment operator training using SimLog simulators for backhoe loader, bulldozer, hydraulic excavator, and articulated wheel loader, with real-world quarry experience and CDL permitting preparation.
• Work-Based Learning Opportunities Cooperative education and work-based learning courses coordinated with local businesses, allowing students to gain real-world experience while earning high school credit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of DCCTC students are either working, attending college or serving in the military within 18 months of graduation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trident Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Dual enrollment partnership allowing DCCTC students to earn college credit while completing high school requirements. Logistics and Distribution 3 may qualify as 3 dual credit hours with Trident Technical College upon approval.
• Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCCTC Heavy Equipment Operation students who are 18+ by spring semester of their senior year are eligible for Class A CDL training leading to permit testing through the Department of Transportation, with CDL license completion at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.
• ECPI UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a higher education partner for student pathway opportunities.
• Dorchester County Fire & RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough a relationship with Dorchester County Fire and Rescue, DCCTC students participate in many work-based learning opportunities and gain valuable real-world firefighting experience on a regular basis.
• VolvocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolvo visited DCCTC campus during Summer EV Camp, bringing two of their latest EV models for campers to explore. Industry experts spoke to students and provided hands-on information about newest electric vehicles.
• KubotacoreTechnology or IntegrationDiesel Engine Technology program has adopted the Kubota Tech program to provide students with up to eight certifications. Students work on Kubota diesel engines and can earn industry certifications through NC3/Kubota.
• National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrian O'Neill is a NCCER certified instructor as well as an OSHA instructor, providing standardized construction education credentials to electricity students.
• AllCare Living ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare services provider participating in DCCTC business partner network for Health Science program connections.
• AmedisysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider participating in DCCTC business partner network for Health Science program connections.
• Cummins, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiesel engine manufacturer partner for Diesel Engine Technology program, providing industry connection and potential certifications.
• Blanchard MachineryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeavy equipment dealer partner providing industry expertise for Heavy Equipment Operation program.
• Charleston Electrical Contractors AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides apprenticeship program for Electricity students and instructor training opportunities.
• Dorchester County Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw enforcement partner providing guest speakers, facility visits, and career pathway information for Law Enforcement students.
• Dorchester County Fire & RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFire service partner providing hands-on training opportunities and work-based learning for Firefighting students.
• Hendrick AutomotiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive dealer group partner for Auto Technology program connections and potential employment pathways.
• Palmetto FordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive dealer partner with historical connection to Auto Technology program (instructor Chris Newman worked there for many years).
• Santee CooperminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtilities company partner providing industry expertise for electrical and energy-related programs.
• HOSA-Future Health ProfessionalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization for Health Science students to participate in state leadership conferences, competitions, and scholarship opportunities.
• FFA - Future Farmers of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization for Agriculture/Horticulture students allowing participation in statewide agricultural competitions, state fair, fishing team, and sporting clays team.
• SkillsUSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization allowing Architecture students to compete annually in Greenville with opportunities for national competition and scholarships.
• Banks ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company partner providing industry expertise and potential employment pathways for Building Construction students.
• Scout BoatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoat manufacturer partner providing industry connections for relevant technical programs.
• Sportsman BoatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoat manufacturer partner providing industry connections for relevant technical programs.
• Detyens Shipyards, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipyard partner providing industry expertise and potential employment pathways.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• ECPI University: For-profit university with health science, technology, and trades-adjacent programs. ECPI is named as a formal pathway partner in DCCTC's data; functions as an adjacent post-secondary destination rather than a direct CTE competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Trident Technical College: South Carolina's largest two-year technical college, headquartered in North Charleston adjacent to DCCTC's service area. Trident is already a formal dual-enrollment partner and offers overlapping programs (welding, machining, electrical, nursing, logistics) at the post-secondary level, making it the closest adjacent post-secondary CTE provider.
• Greenville Technical College: Large South Carolina technical college system with overlapping program areas (industrial technology, welding, healthcare, HVAC) and broader geographic reach. Provides a useful upper-bound benchmark for program breadth and employer engagement depth.
• Aiken Technical College: South Carolina technical college serving the Aiken region with comparable industrial, healthcare, and trades programs at post-secondary level. Comparable governance, advisory-board structure, and industry-certification strategy.

Direct peers

• Berkeley County Career & Technology Center: Public CTE center serving Berkeley County (immediately adjacent to Dorchester County) high school students with a similar model — shared local employer base, similar trade-area competitors, comparable funding structure. Most directly comparable regional peer by program and governance.
• Cherokee County Career & Technology Center: Public CTE center in Cherokee County, SC delivering career and technical education to high-school students with a similar multi-program model and South Carolina state CTE oversight. Direct structural peer sharing funding, certification, and dual-enrollment dynamics with DCCTC.
• Florence Career Center: Public career center operated under Florence School District One serving high-school students from multiple partner districts with comparable CTE program breadth. Closely comparable by governance and student-segment model.
• Pickens County Career & Technology Center: South Carolina public CTE center serving Pickens County high-schoolers with analogous CTE program areas (automotive, welding, health science, building trades) operating under the same state funding and CTE framework. Direct peer in mission, governance, and program portfolio.

Regional players

• York Technical College: South Carolina technical college serving York County near Charlotte with comparable program mix (industrial tech, welding, nursing, automotive). Same state CTE/technical-college framework but geographically distinct from DCCTC's catchment.
• Midlands Technical College: South Carolina technical college serving the Midlands region (Columbia area) with overlapping industrial and healthcare programs. Same state system as Trident; operates in a non-competing geography but in similar program categories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DCCTCAdmin
• Facebookfacebook.com/54606331531
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/dorchester-career-and-technology-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dorchester Career and Technology Center