We are committed to ensuring that South Carolinians have the education and training necessary to fill the most in-demand jobs.
We offer business programs that help maintain a highly skilled workforce and develop your recruitment pipeline all while earning tax credits.
readySC™
The state's highly-regarded readySCTM program, a division of the SC Technical College System, offers an innovative program that provides recruiting and training assistance to companies that are expanding or looking to move to South Carolina. The program works with the state's 16 technical colleges to develop a training curriculum tailored to meet a company's workforce requirements - at no cost to that company. More than a quarter million workers have been trained since the program's inception.
Enterprise Zone Retraining Credit Program
Manufacturing companies located in South Carolina may have the opportunity to utilize the Job Retraining Tax Credit (E-Zone) program. This program reimburses companies for certain training and education provided to employees. Following approval by the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, companies may claim a credit of $1,000 per employee against withholding taxes.
Incumbent Worker Training
Funds may be available to train current employees to meet changing skill requirements due to new technology, restructuring, new product lines and other factors. An employer match is required. Funding priority is given to training that will lead to significant upgrades in employee skills or wages that will result in layoff aversion and better retention opportunities. Funding for this program is allocated annually.
Apprenticeship Carolina™ Program
The mission of the Apprenticeship CarolinaTM program is to ensure that all employers in the state have access to the assistance they need to create their own registered apprenticeship programs.
Companies with registered programs earn a $1,000 South Carolina state tax credit for each registered apprentice employee who works at least seven months during each year. Students and young adults have the opportunity to work with participating companies across a diverse array of industries from advanced manufacturing to hospitality and healthcare.
On-the-Job Training
On-the-job training provides wage or salary reimbursement from 50-90% (depending on the size of the business) to compensate for costs associated with training new employees. The percentage and length of reimbursement varies based on the size of the company, the specific skills to be acquired for the job.
Workforce Wage Data Assistance
Responding to company workforce needs is a priority. S.C. Commerce can assist businesses with gathering and analyzing wage competitiveness data to support recruitment and retention strategies, at no-cost to companies. For immediate and long-term workforce needs, wage and demographics comparison data and tools can help businesses become an employer of choice.
Learn more about workforce wage data assistance
