Our History
From Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical Education Center to Northeastern Technical College, look how much we've grown!
The college graduated its first class in 1970 with 32 students graduating from five programs: technical secretary, automotive mechanics, air conditioning, refrigeration and heating; welding; and machine shop.
Our history begins here:
1967
A group of interested citizens led by Mayor Miller Ingram of Cheraw initiated a training needs survey of Marlboro and Chesterfield counties. The results illustrated the need and community support for an educational institution that would prepare its citizens for employment in various technical and related fields.
At the request of the State Committee for Technical Education, a joint delegation of the two-county area appointed a committee to study the location and financing of a post-secondary, state-supported, two-year educational institution.
As a result of the committee work, Governor Robert E. McNair signed into law Legislative Act (R478, S425) officially creating the Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical Education Commission, the governing body for the new education center.
1968 - Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical Education Center began operations.
1969 - Relocated to a new physical plant west of Cheraw on Chesterfield Highway (SC 9).
1974 - Per the request of the Commission, the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education changed the institution's name to Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College.
1975 - Construction began on three new buildings on the campus including a Community Education Center, Electrical Technology Building, and Learning Resource Center. Construction doubled the physical plant and was completed by fall 1976.
1978 - The College received a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
1979 - The College celebrated its 10-year anniversary. A new instructional building was completed and several facilities were opened including a career center and placement office. A registered nurse satellite program in partnership with Florence-Darlington Technical College and Richmond Community College was also offered for the first time.
1981 - The College established a data processing curriculum to meet the needs of the emerging computer technology industry.
1983 - An innovative training agreement for maintenance employees with a major textile manufacturer was established.
1986 - A computerized registration program and process was implemented.
1988 - The College received a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSOC).
1991 - Working with a major local industry partner, the college established an innovative apprenticeship program in metalworking.
1992 - The academic schedule changed from the quarter to semester system.
1994 - The College celebrated its 25th anniversary and established access to the Internet for students, faculty, and staff.
1996 - A video-based distance learning system was established and improved access to education and training programs across the service area.
1997 - Major restoration and remodeling work on CMTC's buildings occurred and final plans were completed for the construction of a new classroom/library building, as well as continuing education facilities (completed in 2000).
1998 - The College received a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC).
2000 - The College name was changed to Northeastern Technical College (NETC) to reflect the regional nature of its three-county service area including Dillon County.
2003 - Community campuses in Bennettsville, Pageland, and Dillon were completed.
2004 - The College began a new workforce training initiative known as REWARD (Rural Economic Workforce Alliance for Resource Development) in partnership with local Adult Education agencies.
2007 - NETC earned approval to offer an Associate Degree of Nursing (RN) program. The first class graduates in 2009.
2008 - The College received a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC)
2010 - In partnership with Marlboro County to bring more educational opportunities to Marlboro County citizens, the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library was completed adjacent to the college's community campus in Bennettsville.
2011 - For the second consecutive fall semester, the college enrolled the largest number of students in the college's history. The college also completed the expansion of the Dillon Campus to better serve the citizens of Dillon County.
2013 - NETC converted the Pageland Community Campus to an Industry Training Center.
2016 - Expanded Pageland Industry Training Center campus.
2016 - NETC in partnership with Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon Counties introduce the 2022 Dual Enrollment Plan with funding fro the Department of Education through an experimental Dual Enrollment Pell Grant program.
2018 - NETC received two USDA Rural Development - Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Grants (Allied Health and Advanced Manufacturing).
2018 - NETC received funds from The U.S. Department of Education for the Second Chance Pell Experiment to provide financial assistance to incarcerated individuals to enroll into classes.
2018 - NETC received funds from The U.S. Department of Education for the Dual Enrollment Pell Experiment to provide financial assistance to high school students enrolled in dual credit classes.
2018 - The College received a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC).
2018 - NETC opened a new 50,000 square-foot campus focused on training and educating Citizens of Marlboro County.
2018 - NETC received approval for the expansion of the LPN nursing program to Dillon County.
2018 - NETC received two USDA Rural Development - Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Grants (Allied Health and Advanced Manufacturing).
2019 - NETC received $3.2M from the U.S. Department of Education as a continuation of the Dual Enrollment Pell Experiment which is designed to provide financial assistance to high school students enrolled in dual credit classes.
2019 - NETC received $2.7M from The U.S. Department of Education as a continuatoin of the Second Chance Pell Experiment which is designed to provide financial assistance to incarcerated individuals to enroll into classes.
2019 - NETC received a National Science foundation (NSF) Grant for $272,337 for Diesel Technology.
2020 - NETC received $4.4 million for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to establish a workforce training center (Phase II renovations) at the NETC Marlboro Community Campus.
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(800) 921-7399
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