Scout Motors opens Blythewood training center

Scout Motors marked a big milestone both for the company and for Midlands workforce development on April 20 with the opening of its new training center on the site of the Scout Motors Production Center in Blythewood.

The new 32,500-square-foot, $25 million training center is a collaboration with readySC, the workforce development division of the South Carolina Technical College System.

Designed to prepare workers for advanced manufacturing careers, the new training center will serve as the primary hub for onboarding, upskilling and continuous workforce development as Scout Motors ramps toward production, estimated to begin by the end of 2027.

The facility reflects a long-term strategy to align training directly with modern manufacturing needs, ensuring South Carolinians are equipped for high‑quality, sustainable jobs, officials said.

“The training center represents a promise ­­– if you show up ready to build something great, we will give you modern tools, real coaching and clear pathways to growth,” said Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors. “At Scout Motors, we don’t see the American worker as a cost to remove – we see people as an asset to invest in. The careers that begin here will support families, strengthen communities, and equip generations of South Carolinians with valuable new skills.”

Keogh attended the opening event along with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, members of the Richland County Council and other community educators and leaders.

Scott Keogh called the training site a “front door to thousands of careers,” and marked the project’s development with a symbolic brick from the original International Harvester Scout factory in Fort Wayne, Ind., where the original iconic vehicles were produced from 1961-1980.

Funded through the $25 million investment by readySC and supported by the South Carolina Technical College System, the training center represents a significant expansion of workforce training infrastructure in the Midlands, built specifically to support Scout’s ongoing needs as the automotive manufacturer works toward the opening of its facility off Interstate 77 in Blythewood.

“Every person who walks through these doors is stepping into more than a job,” said Tim Hardee, president of the South Carolina Technical College System. “They are gaining skills that lead to real careers, the ability to support their families, and the opportunity to change what’s possible for the next generation.”

The training center is a cornerstone of Scout Motors’ broader commitment to South Carolina, where the company is investing more than $2 billion in the state‑of‑the‑art production center expected to create more than 4,000 jobs.

“South Carolina’s success is driven by our people, and this new training center ensures they have the skills needed to succeed in today’s advanced manufacturing environment,” McMaster said. “Scout Motors’ investment is a long-term commitment to our workforce, our families and the continued strength of our state’s economy.”

During the event, Scout Motors employees shared personal stories of how access to training, mentorship, and new career pathways are changing what’s possible for their families and futures.

“Before Scout Motors, I didn’t think a career in manufacturing was accessible to someone like me with no previous experience,” said Tashay Bates, a recently hired production associate, who came to manufacturing from a job in retail investigations. “This training center didn’t just give me a job — it gave me confidence, skills and a real pathway forward. Knowing that a company is willing to invest this much time and care into its people makes me proud to be part of what we’re building here.”

The company is making steady progress on its Blythewood facility, with construction advancing on more than 5 million square feet of buildings, ongoing installation of equipment and hiring underway for early production and maintenance roles.

Company officials said Scout has already hired more than 600 people in South Carolina and almost 1,400 companywide.

Once completed, the production facility will make all-electric Scout Traveler SUVs and Terra trucks. Both vehicles offer hybrid options.

The company announced plans to begin making early design validation prototype vehicles by the end of 2026 followed by a gradual ramp-up toward full production, tentatively slated for late 2027 or early 2028.