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(left to right) Mr. Jeff Ball, HGTC Chair and Professor of Academic & Workforce Development; Mr. James Friday, HGTC Associate Professor of Water & Wastewater Management; Dr. Marilyn Fore, HGTC President; Mr. Brandon Haselden, HGTC Assistant Vice President and Dean
HGTC celebrates the first cohort of the new HGTC Water and Wastewater Management program. (photo includes those in photo 1 and the first cohort of HGTC Water and Wastewater Management program.)
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is excited to announce the addition of a new Water and Wastewater Management training program within its Workforce Development Division. The program is a timely response to the growing demand for skilled water and wastewater management professionals in Horry and Georgetown counties.
The program, designed as a three-week intensive course, is aimed at providing critical upskilling opportunities for employees of local municipalities and industries that manage water and wastewater treatment systems. These organizations now have the chance to send their workforce to HGTC to receive training that will help them secure vital licenses and certifications. This initiative will support the increasing demand for safe, efficient, and sustainable water treatment services in the region.
Joining the College’s esteemed faculty is Associate Professor James Friday, an industry veteran with over 40 years of experience in water and wastewater management. Friday brings a wealth of knowledge and a diverse background that spans local government, private industry, and even world-renowned entertainment destinations.
Beginning his career at just 19-years-old at Texas Instruments, Friday spent 11 years honing his expertise before returning to South Carolina to serve as Lead Operator at the Rock Hill water treatment plant for a decade. From there, he took on the role of Superintendent of Water and Wastewater for the City of Camden, followed by an exceptional opportunity as Life Support Operations Manager at Walt Disney World in Florida. In this role, Friday was responsible for treating water in contact with animals at both Epcot and Animal Kingdom.
After his time with Disney, Friday continued to expand his expertise, serving as Utility Director for the City of Mount Holly, NC for eight (8) years, followed by a decade as Utility Director for the City of Conway, SC. His retirement in August marks the beginning of his next chapter with HGTC, where he officially joined the College on September 3.
Friday holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Central Carolina Technical College and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management from Columbia Southern University. His impressive resume and dedication to the field make him a tremendous asset to the new program and to the students he will mentor.
“With the increasing strain on water and wastewater services in our region, it is essential that we provide our local professionals with the training and tools they need to stay ahead,” said Brandon Haselden, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Academic & Workforce Development. “The addition of this program and the expertise that James Friday brings to our team will ensure that our community has access to world-class training, helping to secure a more sustainable future for water management.”
The new Water and Wastewater Management program is open for enrollment. For more information about the training available through the HGTC Workforce Development Division, call HGTC at 843-477-2020 or visit www.hgtc.edu/jobtraining to start a path to success.