SC Competes Brings its TransformSC “Bus Tour” to Pickens County Schools, Bringing Together Lawmakers, Business Leaders, and Education Champions
(Columbia, SC)
TransformSC, an initiative of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes), recently brought together a group of more than 40 policymakers, business leaders, educators, and education stakeholders for a tour of schools and industry in Liberty, SC. The visit offered a first-hand look at the innovative approaches to education taking place in South Carolina’s Upstate region, through career and technical education (CTE).
Attendees heard from a panel of Pickens CTE students pursuing pathways in machine technology, electricity, cosmetology, health sciences, and biomedical science.
Dr. Danny Merck, Superintendent of School District Pickens County, presented the mission, vision, and future for Pickens County students.
The group began their day at Liberty Primary School before touring the Pickens County Career & Technology Center and United Tool & Mold. Through internships and apprenticeships with companies like United Tool & Mold, students from the Pickens County CTE Center have been able to apply and expand upon skills they’ve learned in the classroom.
At each stop, the group engaged in candid conversations with principals, teachers, and students, while observing classrooms where students were actively immersed in hands-on learning. Bunnie Ward, Director of TransformSC with SC Competes, emphasized that the bus tour serves as a valuable opportunity to showcase how forward-thinking schools–particularly those exploring career and technical education—are redefining traditional instruction models and achieving measurable success.
“We appreciate the opportunity to show how our schools are preparing students for a rapidly changing workforce,” said Pickens County Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck. “What our guests saw today reflects years of intentional work – aligning innovative classrooms with the real needs of industry and giving students clear, meaningful pathways to success right here in Pickens County.”
“Talking about change is one thing, but seeing it in action is another,” said Bunnie Ward, the Director of TransformSC, an initiative of SC Competes. “It’s vital for our stakeholders to experience transformative education firsthand and see the results. These schools are increasing student engagement, reducing absences, boosting academic and soft-skill achievement, and improving teacher satisfaction—but the true impact is best seen in person.”
Susie Shannon, President & CEO of SC Competes said that the return of the TransformSC bus tour is due, in large part, to the desire to take a closer look at CTE programs’ unique ability to connect students with possible careers through applied education.
“As part of our evergreen work in supporting industry and career opportunities, we are frequently inside the classrooms and see first-hand the continued transformation that is happening around the state,” remarked Shannon. “When our participants can spend a day engaging with students, teachers, and administrators at the schools, and alongside our industry, it leaves a real impression of the innovative and life-changing work happening every day in South Carolina to support our students and their career possibilities.”
Learn more about the work TransformSC is doing here.