The State Workforce Development Board awarded $1.8 million to seven organizations for the development and advancement of innovative programs that reflect the alignment of workforce, education and training practices. The grant is made available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: a program that helps jobseekers access education, employment, training and support services.

“South Carolina needs a skilled workforce now more than ever,” said Val Richardson, SWDB Collaboration and Partnership Committee Co-Chair. “The Board’s intent behind the Workforce Innovation Grant is to facilitate the groundbreaking work of organizations across the state. The projects that were funded are truly innovative and support the needs of South Carolina’s workforce.”

The programs awarded funding are:

Midlands Technical College– $391,590: Midlands Technical College will use the grant to serve college students on academic probation, high school graduates with no post-secondary plans, and other participants by providing accelerated career entry points into healthcare, business and information technology, and diversified manufacturing that lead to job skills and credentials. Participants will also receive a soft skills certificate through their completion of the program.

Able SC– $53,090: Able SC will use the grant for their Capacity Building for Inclusion project. This initiative will focus on improving outreach to individuals with disabilities, providing specialized training for local SC Works staff to better service jobseekers with disabilities, consulting on accessibility of programming and materials, and training employers on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities.

Piedmont Technical College– $355,362: Piedmont Technical College will use the grant to serve individuals who are unemployed, underemployed or previously incarcerated by adding two new degree tracks: Commercial Driver’s License A/B and SC Logistics Certified. SCLC is a new degree option that is a blend of Certified Logistics Associate Training, Mid-Level Certified Logistics Training, OSHA 10-hour General Industry Standard Training, Lean Kaizen for Warehouse/Distribution Training and Forklift Operation and Safety Training.

Transitions/Midlands Housing Alliance– $140,987: Transitions will use the grant to launch the Transitions Works program. This program will assist homeless individuals with gaining steady employment leading to sustainable, permanent housing. Through the funding, Transitions will also establish a career center and hire an Employment Support and Housing Navigator to assist participants.

Upstate Workforce Board– $391,590: The Upstate Workforce Board will use the grant to build on their Operation Educate Program through a partnership with the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology. Operation Educate serves non-violent offenders by offering them occupational skills training in construction and manufacturing, as well as soft skills training. Through the partnership with SiMT, participants will use the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset to provide a manufacturing experience within the classroom.

Eckerd Youth Alternatives– $381,741: Eckerd Youth will use the grant to convene business and industry to align resources and identify workforce needs among out-of-school youth. Through the funding provided, the project will host the Build a SHED competition where participants are given basic construction skills training and are partnered with construction industry leaders to compete to see who can build the best shed from the ground up. Following the competition, the grant will fund paid work experiences for the youth and assist them in further career exploration in the construction industry.

School District 5 of Lexington/Richland Counties– $85,640: Lexington/Richland District 5 will use the grant to provide certifications for individuals with disabilities through coursework that has been modified to increase accessibility. The funding will also support a dedicated staff position that will provide student mentorship and supervision while attending the courses.