Hamilton Career + Technology Center, Oconee County School District

The Hamilton Career + Technology Center is strategically located within Oconee County’s industrial park and adjacent to Tri-County Technical College. Recognizing a gap between workforce readiness and the needs of local employers, county leaders identified a demand for skills like manufacturing technology, agriculture, health care, and cybersecurity. The new career and technology center was developed as a direct response. Its design supports hands-on training that prepares students to enter high-demand fields.

20+ CTE Programs and Dual-Credit Pathways Support the County’s Workforce Development

The Hamilton Career + Technology Center offers more than 144,000 SF of vocational learning space. Serving 1,100 students from all three county high schools, it offers over 20 career and technical education (CTE) programs, including welding and machine tool technology, culinary arts, health sciences, cybersecurity, cosmetology, and EMS. Also on site are outbuildings that support large-format learning tools and a greenhouse. The Considerate Cafe, a student-run restaurant is open to the public and gives students restaurant training and life skills.

The Center’s location provides direct industry connections and a peek into college learning. Through its close proximity to Tri-County Technical College, students access dual-credit opportunities and get a daily view of vocational pathways. The industrial park supports student shadowing, co-ops, and an apprenticeship program partnering with local manufacturers and the Sheriff’s Office to offer real-world credentials.

For more career development projects, click here. And for insight into the future of career and technology programs, listen to our higher education podcast series, ideaXchange: The Future of Education.