Protect and advance your career with AI skills that matter.
Build Carolina Academy is South Carolina’s homegrown tech talent hub, helping you stay ahead in a world where AI is reshaping every role. Our flexible, live, and hands-on courses give you the confidence and skills to grow in your current career or pivot into new opportunities.
What is the Build Carolina Academy?
South Carolina’s tech ecosystem is growing faster than ever, with thousands of new AI, software, and data roles projected over the next decade. Employers across the state need professionals who can apply modern tech skills to real-world problems, and local workers need flexible, accessible pathways to gain those skills.
Build Carolina Academy exists to bridge that gap — providing South Carolinians with hands-on, employer-informed training that directly aligns with the state’s workforce needs.
We’re uniquely positioned to do this in SC because we understand the local economy, employers, and talent gaps. Our courses aren’t generic — they’re built from the ground up with the people, companies, and opportunities right here in the state. That makes it possible for learners to move from current roles to new opportunities with confidence, practical skills, and portfolio-ready results.
What you'll gain:
Career confidence
Move from uncertainty to confidence with skills that make you valuable and relevant in an AI-enhanced workplace.
Hands-on skills
Build real, portfolio-ready projects that show employers what you can do.
Local impact
Learn skills that are in demand in South Carolina, designed with the input of employers and industry leaders.
Ecosystem connections
Connect to apprenticeship opportunities, local employers, and a network of peers and mentors.
Hands-on from day one
Join live, interactive sessions and work on real projects that let you practice AI, software, and data skills as you learn.
Show what you can do
Create portfolio-ready artifacts that demonstrate your technical skills and make you stand out to employers.
Learn for South Carolina careers
Our programs are designed with local employers in mind, giving you the skills and connections to thrive in an AI-enhanced economy.
How it works
Our programs are structured as short, stackable pathways that focus on practical outcomes, low-risk learning, and career advancement. Whether you are in project management, HR, product development, business analysis, or a technical-adjacent role, these micro-pathways give you the tools to apply AI and technology directly in your work.
Data Engineering
with AI
Turn raw data into actionable insights with hands-on skills in AI-enhanced data pipelines, automation, and machine learning workflows. Build portfolio-ready projects that show employers you can design, manage, and optimize data systems that power smart business decisions.
Software Engineering with AI
Level up your coding skills while mastering AI-powered software development. Learn to build, test, and deploy applications that leverage AI tools and workflows, creating real projects that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems in today’s tech-driven world.
Build skills that move your career forward.
At Build Carolina Academy, you are not just learning theory, you are gaining confidence, building portfolio-ready skills, and joining a statewide network of professionals who are ready for the AI-enhanced economy. Let’s make your next career move your smartest yet.
Why South Carolina is the right place to upgrade your tech skills
South Carolina’s tech jobs are growing — be ready to jump in.
~ 143,000 jobs in SC’s tech sector — the number of tech‑associated jobs supported statewide.
That’s a large, established community of tech workers across the state — meaning lots of companies and roles that could value the skills you learn.
Tech jobs pay ~ $96,763/year on average. That's about 78% higher than the state’s overall average wage.
Investing in an Academy course can pay off: mastering AI/data/software skills can lead to significantly above-average wages compared to many non‑tech jobs in SC.
The “Computer & Mathematical” occupations (software, data, AI‑adjacent) are projected to grow 24% between 2022 and 2032 — ~12,000 new jobs statewide.
With strong statewide demand, learners who pick up modern, relevant skills (like those taught in your Academy) are more likely to find locally relevant work
Annual job openings in computer & mathematical roles expected to exceed ~ 4,600/year (in SC) through that same period.
Even if many people have those skills now, the volume of openings suggests many new positions — or replacement needs — so there’s opportunity for newcomers or career changers.
SC’s tech sector has grown more than twice as fast as overall state employment over the past decade.
Tech (especially AI, data, software) isn’t a niche — it’s a core growth engine for SC’s economy. Learning those skills now positions you for long-term stability and growth potential locally.
“Build Carolina does amazing work providing education and career pathways in tech, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.”
Software Engineer, Sios
“The decision that I made to enroll is one of the most important and bravest decisions that I’ve made in my life, and I'm very grateful for it. Five, ten years ago, I never would've thought I'd be able to have such a great job, a great career, and doing it all from my own home."
Software Developer
Start building the skills that protect your career
Whether you’re ready to dive into AI-enhanced software engineering, data engineering, or explore short, practical workshops, Build Carolina Academy gives you flexible, hands-on pathways to grow your skills, build confidence, and create work you can showcase to employers.Build Carolina is committed to making technology education accessible to everyone. Through flexible, project-based learning, we empower learners to build careers in web development, programming, automation, UX, and more.
