Workforce Development Board
The Santee-Lynches Workforce Development Board is a "board of directors" empowered by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 to design and oversee a regional workforce system in the counties of Clarendon, Lee, Kershaw, and Sumter. The federal government invests in the Santee-Lynches region to train and re-train workers toward self-sufficiency.
Board membership is by appointment of county councils and approved by the Governor and is voluntary. The Santee-Lynches Workforce Development Board (WDB) is comprised of business and industry leaders, CEOs, plant managers and executives of public agencies partnering to improve the quality of the workforce.
The Board meets every other month to discuss and provide solutions for regional workforce issues. The WDB considers a myriad of issues, such as, skills gaps, technology, wages, underemployment, education, apprenticeships and the like. Local boards provide information on what skills are in demand, what jobs are available, expanding careers, and the identification and development of programs that best meet local employer needs. The WDB partners with a number of non-profit agencies to provide seamless service for job seekers at regional SC Works Centers and with area youth providers in each county.
Overarching results of the Board's work are sustained economic growth, enhanced productivity and competitiveness, and reduced welfare dependency. Essentially the WDB seeks to use its knowledge of what skills are in demand, what jobs are available, and what career fields are expanding to provide a best fit for the employer and job seeker.
Notice of Intent to File a Petition as a Local Workforce Development Area Under the Provisions of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)
The Santee-Lynches Workforce Development Board and the Chief Elected Officials of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter Counties are in the process of completing a petition to be re-designated as a workforce development area under the provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This petition will be made to the Governor of the State of South Carolina, based on the area’s history of successful performance and sustained fiscal integrity as an existing workforce area in the State of South Carolina.
The public is invited to review the local area designation requirements and submit comments to Areatha Clark at aclark@slcog.org no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, April 14, 2023.
2022-2023 Local and Regional Plan Updates
MEMBERS- PROGRAM YEAR 2022
Calvin Hastie, Vice-Chairman
Full List of Workforce Development Board Members
STAFF
Areatha Clark – Deputy Executive Director and Chief, Workforce Development, 803-774-1405
Esmonde Levy – Workforce Development Manager, 803-774-1406
Freda Amerson – Workforce Development Operations Coordinator, 803-774-1314
Steve Berger- Business Services Lead, 803-774-1306
The WIOA Title-I financially assisted program is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids, and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Speech and hearing-impaired individuals may use the TTY Relay Service by dialing 711.
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