The South Carolina Public Charter School District (PCSD) and Superintendent Chris Neeley officially designated York Preparatory Academy (YPA) as the state’s newest Workforce Center of Excellence (WCOE) during a special ceremony at the school on Thursday, October 29. The designation recognizes YPA’s commitment to ensuring all students graduate prepared for college, careers, and military service.
“Being recognized as a Workforce Center of Excellence affirms our belief that education should do more than prepare students for graduation. It should also prepare them for life and real-world experiences. At YPA, we are committed to building meaningful pathways from classroom to career and giving students the skills, the confidence, and every opportunity to succeed,” said Brian Myrup, YPA’s managing director.
During the ceremony, PCSD, YPA, and community leaders delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the Workforce Center of Excellence initiative and its impact on students and the regional workforce pipeline. Additionally, officials from York Technical College recognized nine YPA students who completed the new Ready to Work certification, a program the college piloted with the school. The students who completed the certification are:
• Zaylee Alston
• Colton Carroll
• Zachary Curtis
• Zachary Grissom
• Jacob Rodgers
• William Wade
• Danica Warren
• Gunner Dobbins
• Gavin Colvin
“York Preparatory Academy is being recognized not because we’re asking them to change their mission, but because they’ve made workforce development a priority for years. Through strong partnerships, hands-on learning, and industry-recognized credentials, York Prep is helping students discover their purpose, develop their talents, and prepare to make a meaningful contribution to their communities. This is what it means to put Kids First,” said Chris Neeley, superintendent of PCSD.
For more information about Workforce Centers of Excellence, visit sccharter.org/wcoe.
