SC Aeronautical Training Center Ribbon-Cutting

TTC President Mary Thornley leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony
for the SC Aeronautical Training Center

The college officially opened the South Carolina Aeronautical Training Center on Friday, Nov. 9 with a ribbon-cutting event for industry partners, donors and elected officials. Gov. Henry McMaster, TTC President Mary Thornley and other dignitaries cut the ribbon in one the facilities' two aircraft hangars.

The new center houses all of the college’s Aeronautical Studies programs and provides space for both academic and continuing education training in other advanced manufacturing fields. ReadySC’s Boeing Training Center, where pre-employment, new hire and skill enhancement training for BoeingSC is held, is located on the building’s third floor.

Anita Zucker, TTC Area Commissioner

The $80 million center includes an aircraft ramp, two hangars with high bays to accommodate a variety of aircraft and large aircraft training aids, 22 classrooms, 25 specialty labs, six flex-space labs, 37 offices, meeting spaces, a café, and catering kitchen. The building’s design provides many sustainable features including a solar array that will provide approximately 210 kilowatts of power, enough electricity to power 33 typical houses.

During the opening program, the college announced an educational partnership with Dassault Systémes, a software company that develops 3D design and engineering software used by major manufacturers including Mercedes Benz, Volvo and Boeing. Dassault and Trident Tech will establish the first Dassault innovation center in the Southeast, called the 3D Experience Center, which will be housed in the S.C. Aeronautical Training Center. Dassault is making a substantial investment toward the creation of the 3D Experience Center by providing Dassault 3D Experience software, cloud support for the 3D Experience platform, and paid internships for student support and mentoring. Professional development workshops for industry representatives and continuing education programs leading to certification in Dassault software will also be held in the 3D Experience Center.

Contact us at foundation@tridenttech.edu if you are an alum who is interested in touring the center!

For more information about the opening, click here.

To see a playlist of videos posted to Facebook the night of the event, click here.

To see photos, click here and here.

To see media coverage of the event, click WCBD morning; WCBD evening; WCIV; WCSC; Post and Courier (requires subscription).

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