Midlands Technical College was recently awarded a $1 million grant from the Lowe’s Foundation in the form of a Gable Grant.

Gable Grants are awarded by the foundation to help expand technical colleges and their career pathways.

“With enrollments rising at vocationally focused schools, these community colleges are blossoming arenas for entrepreneurship and economic mobility,” Janice Dupre, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation, said in the press release. “Each college has a clear, inspired vision for closing the trade gap in its community, and we’re pleased to welcome them to our larger movement.”

The college will use the award to expand its building construction technology program by developing a new training space, provide additional faculty support and enhance existing tools and equipment.

“Receiving a Gable Grant from the Lowe’s Foundation will allow Midlands Technical College to expand facilities and double our teaching capacity so that more students can get the training they need for a great career,” Robbie Sharpe, building construction technology program director at Midlands Technical College, said in the press release. “There is significant demand for well-prepared building construction program graduates, and through this partnership with Lowe’s, we are addressing a critical workforce shortage here in the Midlands of South Carolina.”