The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, in collaboration with partners around the state, work to provide training and education programs for individuals who would be otherwise unemployed and for eligible individuals who are looking for new skills to advance their career. Training and programs have been created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, at the request of or inspired by employers, in partnership with other stakeholders, or because an opportunity to help South Carolinians presented itself and made sense. Below are a few examples of some of our recent training partnerships and programs.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
The Department of Employment and Workforce administrators WIOA for the state of South Carolina. It is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to help businesses meet their need for skilled workers and provide their employees with upskilling and training opportunities.
Auto Supply Plant
Created in response to supply chain shortages in auto supply businesses, the workforce system, SC Works, and the local technical colleges partnered to create training and offer training resources as an asset during temporary layoffs. By helping businesses upskill their workforce during a period of slowed production, they can prevent a full layoff. These employees will be equipped with additional skills and training to allow them to cover other shifts or jobs if their area is waiting on parts.
Be Pro Be Proud
The mission of Be Pro Be Proud SC is to showcase skilled-profession careers abundantly found in South Carolina through hands-on, interactive stations representing on-the-job experiences on board the 53-foot, double-expandable, 18-wheel traveling experience.
CompTIA
This training is offered to South Carolina businesses through the CompTIA Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Scholarship Program. IWT helps reskill and upskill current employees, and this training will help businesses address current and future tech talent needs.
Coursera
DEW partnered with Coursera, an online course provider, to provide an opportunity for South Carolina’s COVID-19 displaced workers to take online courses in various subjects, some awarding industry-recognized credentials, at no cost.
GED
The agency worked to get GED programs recognized as UI-approved training, waiving the work search requirement for claimants actively participating in the program. Additionally, a proviso was passed by the General Assembly to award claimants who attain their GED with a $500 incentive.
State Tech
The agency and the State Technical College System collaborated to recognize short-term training for high-demand occupations, such as patient care technicians, heavy equipment operators, and information technology coordinators as UI-approved, waiving the weekly work search requirement for claimants actively participating in a training program.