Homegrown Healthcare: A Local Partnership to Bridge the Skills Gap

Hospital visits aren’t something most people look forward to, but when you do go, you absolutely want the best care you can get. It’s tough to get that care, though, when hospitals and doctors’ offices don’t have the staff they need. 

Healthcare careers are among the thousands of high-demand jobs in our state that require training that our current system isn’t producing rapidly enough—a concerning issue often referred to as the “Skills Gap.” In response to those growing workforce needs, Horry County Schools, Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC), and McLeod Health Loris are proud to announce their partnership to bring a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program to the Loris community, expanding access to healthcare career pathways for students in rural northern Horry County. 

South Carolina is in the top 10 states with the largest projected nursing shortage. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis estimates that our state will be short almost 12,000 nurses by 2037 (19% of our projected need), and rural areas often feel this lack most keenly. 

Horry County Schools is working every day to narrow the Skills Gap, and our partnership with HGTC and McLeod Health Loris specifically addresses the urgent need for healthcare professionals in our communities. Hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics often rely on Certified Nursing Assistants.

HCS Superintendent Clifford Jones said, “Horry County Schools is committed to bridging the Skills Gap and preparing students to meet our county’s needs. This program is an important pipeline for Loris and Green Sea Floyds students to gain skills for a career valuable to their communities.”

“Horry-Georgetown Technical College is proud to partner with Horry County Schools and McLeod Health Loris to create life-changing pathways for students to enter high-demand healthcare careers while serving the communities they call home,” said Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore, president of Horry-Georgetown Technical College. “This partnership reflects the very best of collaboration between education and industry. We are especially proud that these students will have the opportunity to earn college credentials that can immediately change the trajectory of their lives while strengthening the future of our region.” 

HCS already offers a CNA program at our Academy for Technology & Academics, which is open to students from across the county. This new program will allow an additional 32 seniors from Green Sea Floyds High and Loris High to earn their certification each year.

In addition to healthcare training opportunities, the partnership also expands access to general education Associate in Arts coursework through HGTC. These college-level courses allow students to begin earning transferable college credits while building a strong academic foundation for future educational and career opportunities. 

Students pursuing this program will attend morning classes at McLeod Health Loris, where HGTC instructors will teach safety procedures, clinical and technical skills for patient care, and soft skills such as communication, bedside manner, and more. Students will return to their schools in the afternoon to complete their other high school courses, or they may complete some of their final HCS graduation requirements as online courses.

This new program is one of HCS’s many Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Tashena Chestnut, HCS’s CTE Director, said, “This program gives students a true head start. They are leaving high school with skills, certifications, and hands-on experience that set them apart. Our goal is not just for students to earn a diploma, but to graduate with direction, opportunities, and a stronger foundation for whatever path they choose next.”

After completing the CNA program, students will earn a Nursing Assistant Certificate from HGTC, making them eligible to graduate from the college at the same time as they graduate from high school. They’ll also be eligible to sit for the South Carolina CNA Exam. 

The Loris CNA program not only expedites students’ entry into the workforce but also eliminates barriers they might otherwise face. One of those barriers is distance. Most of HGTC’s existing nursing classes are held on its Grand Strand Campus near The Market Common, if not even farther away on the Georgetown Campus. Moving the classroom to McLeod Health Loris eliminates hours of commute time, allowing our students to focus on their studies rather than the road. 

Holding the program in Loris also allows students to interact directly with practicing healthcare professionals in a functioning hospital before they even submit a job application, providing valuable networking and practical, on-site experience.

Regarding the impact the program will have on his students, Loris High Principal Jimmy McCullough said, “Our students are energized about this opportunity because a career in healthcare no longer feels like something far away. It becomes a real, attainable goal. This partnership creates hope, builds futures, and shows students that they can make a difference right here at home.”

This pipeline of nurses also benefits healthcare providers in the area. McLeod Health Loris, in particular, is eager to hire nurses who already know the facility and the community. Homegrown nurses can offer better, more personalized care sooner in their careers than workers from other regions. 

“Investing in students today means investing in the future health of our community,” said McLeod Health Loris CEO Scott Montgomery. “We welcome these students into our hospitals, where they can learn directly from our dedicated team members and see firsthand the impact compassionate care can make. This collaboration strengthens our workforce pipeline while deepening our commitment to the communities we serve.” 

This partnership is only the beginning for our students and for the program. As the program grows, there is potential to offer additional courses and certifications, further broadening opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare. 

While many students will choose the CNA role as their career destination, this certification can also serve as a strong first step for those who eventually pursue paths as registered nurses, physician assistants, or even doctors.

Opportunities like this CNA program are only possible when leaders in industry and education work together. This partnership between HCS, HGTC, and McLeod Health Loris benefits local students, local businesses, and local communities. Horry County’s best days are ahead, and we’re thrilled to make strides toward that bright future.