Technical Scholars Goals & Procedures - Aiken Technical College

Goals & Procedures

Technical Scholars, a two to three-year commitment, enables qualified students to attain an associate degree from Aiken Technical College, while working for local industries. Technical Scholars provides the student with a unique opportunity to gain academic and practical experience simultaneously. The participating student attends class up to twenty hours each week and works at his or her sponsoring company fifteen to twenty hours per week. The sponsoring company pays for the student’s books and tuition. In addition to an hourly wage, the company may provide a fringe benefit package at its discretion.

Goals

To provide appropriate technical training, area industries and the College collaborate in the on-going development, implementation, and evaluation of Technical Scholars sponsorship requirements.
To incorporate essential knowledge, skills, and experiences into a coordinated sequence of academic courses and on-the-job training.
To select students with the potential to complete a rigorous academic and experiential curriculum which will prepare them for success in highly technical careers.
To provide alternative educational experiences for academically qualified individuals entering technical careers.
To enable any deserving student to obtain an associate degree in selected technical fields regardless of the student’s financial status by providing scholarships and paid cooperative work experiences.
To provide an opportunity for graduates to secure rewarding careers with outstanding area industries.
To develop (and provide) qualified individuals for area industries through an on-going, proven process of selecting, training, and promoting high-quality technicians.
To promote an awareness among students, parents, and educators of the technical demands and technical careers present in today’s workplace.

Procedures

Participating companies will provide fifteen (15) to twenty (20) hours of work each week in a position related to the student’s field of study. Each Scholar will be paid $9.00 per hour for the first semester; thereafter, the sponsoring company may award incentive increases based on company policies and academic/work performance.

Note: Companies may sponsor their current employees as Technical Scholars without adhering to the first semester hourly pay standard.

During a student’s final semester of sponsorship, participating companies should notify Scholars of any full-time employment opportunities, based on company needs, which may exist upon his/her successful completion of Technical Scholars. If employment opportunities are not available, Scholars will be referred to other participating companies.

Availability of fringe benefits may vary based on company policy. Company representatives will provide information about such benefits at the time of the interview/selection process.

In the unlikely event that a participating company should experience a layoff and/or closure, the company will make every effort to support the student in order for him or her to remain as a Technical Scholar.

Participating companies agree not to hire or to actively recruit Technical Scholars who are employed with other participating companies while the Scholars are under sponsorship and for at least one (1) year of the Scholars’ employment following graduation. Scholars are strongly encouraged to complete their sponsorship requirements. Should a Scholar lose his/her sponsorship, he or she may be considered, along with other applicants, for available positions within the participating company.