Workforce Development

South Carolina’s workforce development model is built around speed, flexibility, and close alignment with industry needs, giving employers a clear advantage as they grow and evolve.

• At its core is readySC, a state-funded program founded in 1961 and recognized as one of the nation’s most experienced workforce training initiatives. readySC provides customized recruitment, assessment, training development, management, and implementation services for qualifying companies, often at little to no cost. The program ensures talent is prepared when new operations come online or existing facilities expand.
• Supporting this effort is the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, which works in partnership with Regional Workforce Advisors across the state. These advisors play a critical role in shaping the workforce of the future by connecting employers with educators, aligning curriculum with real-world demand, and addressing local labor gaps before they become constraints. The result is a more responsive pipeline that reflects both regional priorities and statewide economic goals.
• RetrainSC and the SC Technical College System further strengthens South Carolina’s workforce advantage by helping existing companies adapt to change. As the state’s premier economic development incentive for workforce upskilling, RetrainSC supports evolving processes and advanced training while offering a payroll tax withholding rebate. This allows employers to reinvest in their people, enhance productivity, and stay competitive in fast-moving industries.

For companies in the Charleston region, these programs operate as a coordinated, business-ready system — accessible, proven, and designed to support growth from day one through long-term expansion.

South Carolina’s workforce ecosystem provides employers with reliable pathways to recruit, train, and develop skilled teams quickly. The programs below directly support the region’s workforce with training, talent recruitment, and early career engagement.

Apprenticeship Carolina (SC Technical College System) — A statewide apprenticeship initiative that partners with employers and technical colleges, including Trident Technical College. Since 2008, the program has supported more than 55,500 apprentices across industries such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and logistics. Employers may also qualify for a $1,000 tax credit per apprentice annually for up to four years.

SC Works — The region’s American Job Center network that connects employers to qualified candidates and provides recruiting support through career fairs, virtual workshops, and hiring events, and helps design recruiting strategies aligned with local labor needs. SC Works Trident also offers employment-related services available to both job seekers and employers that help eliminate or reduce the costs of employee recruitment, screening, and testing.

SC FutureMakers —  A statewide STEM initiative designed to connect students with career opportunities across South Carolina. This first-in-the-nation STEM initiative links K–12 students with real-world career pathways. Employer partners can engage youth early, nurturing pipelines that translate into long-term hires.

Together, these programs create a coordinated toolkit of customizable training, tax incentives, and talent access. For companies locating or expanding in the Charleston region, this system helps accelerate hiring, reduce ramp-up time, and strengthen long-term workforce resilience.