Subcommittee backs Trident Technical College bill to offer applied bachelor’s in culinary arts

The House General Government Ways and Means Subcommittee on Thursday voted to report H5177 favorably, a bill authorizing Trident Technical College to offer an applied baccalaureate in culinary arts management once approved by the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education and the Commission on Higher Education.

Vicki Wood, president of Trident Technical College, said the college serves more than 20,000 students and that the tourism and hospitality sector is a major economic driver, citing statewide and local impact figures to argue students currently leave the state for four‑year culinary degrees. "One of the fastest growing sectors that we serve is tourism and hospitality," Wood said, urging members to support the bill so graduates can stay and build careers in state.

Industry representatives including Greenville Technical College and the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association expressed support while suggesting the legislation could be opened to the statewide technical college system; Hank Davis of the Restaurant and Lodging Association said he supported H5177 "with one caveat" — that the opportunity be available across the technical-college system.

Committee members asked technical questions about systemwide access and encouraged Trident Tech to share enrollment and program details with staff; members indicated potential amending language to allow other technical colleges to pursue similar baccalaureate programs.

A motion to report H5177 favorably carried by voice/roll call; the chair announced the bill passed unanimously. Committee discussion suggested the measure may be amended later to expand eligibility across the state technical college system before final floor action.