More than $1 Million Available to Qualifying SC Employers for Training
Employers are Encouraged to Apply for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Funds

Columbia, S.C. – The State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) recently awarded more than $1 million dollars to the state’s twelve Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDA) for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT). Employers statewide are encouraged to apply for funding to help them build and retain a skilled workforce through training.

KEY PROGRAM INFORMATION:
The Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Program is made available through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). IWT provides funding for training needed due to expansion, new technology, retooling, new services/product lines and new organizational structuring, or as part of a layoff aversion strategy.

Employers are eligible for the IWT program if:
•They are a South Carolina for-profit or non-profit business.
•They have at least one full-time employee (other than the owner).
•They are current on all state tax obligations.
•They are registered in the SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) system with an active employer account.

Funding is limited to training services such as training/course registration, textbooks/manuals, and training materials/supplies. Certain types of training such as technical skills training or training that leads to or results in a credential, pay increase, or promotion receive priority consideration for funding. The minimum and maximum amount of funding for each employer will be determined by each local area.

EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:
Employers are required to identify the training they want to receive in their application and need pre-approval to deviate from the approved trainings. There is also a requirement to submit monthly or quarterly reports to the local area and a final program report to ensure completion of the trainings.

NEXT STEPS FOR EMPLOYERS:
Employers are encouraged to call the SC Works center closest to them and ask to speak with a Business Consultant. The 48 SC Works Centers can be found here: https://scworks.org/about-us/statewide-centers. Employers are encouraged to apply quickly to be first in line for consideration.