Goodwill opens Clean Tech Lab in Columbia

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina will celebrate the grand opening of its brand-new Midlands Clean Tech Accelerator Lab, located at 555 St. Andrews Road in Columbia.

As the first facility of its kind in the Midlands and the second in the state, this state-of-the-art training hub is designed to revolutionize workforce development by preparing South Carolinians for the booming clean energy economy, according to a news release.

The Columbia launch follows the success of Goodwill’s inaugural Clean Tech Lab in Greenville, which boasted a 100% completion and certification pass rate in heat pump installation, the release said. Graduates from the Greenville program have already transitioned into high-paying, career-track roles.

The Clean Tech Lab offers a high-impact, five-week program that provides:

• Paid, full-time instruction: Students earn while they learn.
• Hands-on mastery: Direct training in solar and storage systems, heat pump installation, and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) technology. The Midlands lab inaugural feature will be heat pump installation.
• National certifications: Credentials recognized by industry leaders across the country.
• Job placement support: A direct pipeline to a sector with over 1,700 open jobs in South Carolina.

With more than 9 million clean energy jobs projected nationally over the next decade, the Clean Tech Accelerator program focuses on equity and access. By providing supportive services and rapid skill development, Goodwill is ensuring that underserved communities are at the forefront of the green revolution.

In South Carolina, the demand for heat pump installers has surged by 22% since 2018, with a mean salary of $50,680, according to Goodwill.

“We aren’t just opening a lab; we’re opening doors to generational wealth and environmental impact,” Monique McDaniels, Goodwill vice president of community and workforce development, said in the release. “By offering paid training and expert-led, hands-on experience, we are removing the barriers that have traditionally kept talent out of the tech sector. Columbia is ready to lead the charge in the clean energy economy, and Goodwill is proud to provide the spark.”

The grand opening is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 13 at 555. St. Andrews Road. The event will include a ribbon cutting and guided tours.