South Carolina was awarded a $1.6 million dollar youth demonstration grant to improve access to high-quality job training and employment services for youth and young adults in North Charleston. The Trident Workforce Development Area collaborated with the City of North Charleston, Adult Education and other partners to develop two one-stop centers that focus on youth that are not enrolled in school or currently working.

These centers offer pre-employment programs that combine both classroom instruction and work-based training opportunities. The programs prepare participants for careers through short-term occupational skills training and paid work experience in high-growth industries including manufacturing, information technology, transportation/logistics, health care, specialty trades and hospitality.

Additionally, the unique program model provides support such as parenting classes, drug and alcohol counseling, and transportation and childcare assistance to address the many barriers to employment that the participants possess.

Through strong community partnerships and the leadership of the Trident Board Youth Committee this project is testing new strategies built on best practices for preparing disadvantaged youth to successfully achieve sustaining employment.

Learn more about the Education 2 Employment program.