Florence-Darlington Technical College will help expand apprenticeships in South Carolina thanks to a $5 million grant the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded to the SC Technical College System.
Part of the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI), the grant will support the increase of apprenticeships in three business sectors: manufacturing, professional services (finance and accounting) and Information Technology.
“We’re excited about bringing this opportunity to businesses and industry in our service area, and the potential to help develop skilled workers,” said Associate Vice President of Corporate and Workforce Development, Lauren Holland. “We look forward to expanding apprenticeships in the Pee Dee region.”
Companies who apply for and receive grant funds may utilize up to $12,500 per location to pay for education provided by their local technical college. The grant amount allowed per apprentice is $2,500.
“The new grant initiative will provide additional support with funds to help train the local workforce,” Holland said. “The additional funding means that companies within the targeted industry sectors can now offset training costs for their employees even more, when the grant funds are combined with the $1,000 state tax credit offered for registered apprenticeships.”
Training eligible for the grant may be either a curriculum course offered towards a degree, or short-term continuing education courses offered through the Division of Corporate and Workforce Development. As a result, there will be even more highly trained employees available to help strengthen the workforce in the Pee Dee region.
In addition, companies may also take advantage of the $1,000 per apprentice SC Tax Credit offered through the state’s registered apprenticeship initiative, further offsetting training costs.
Participating companies awarded funds from the new grant initiative must register their apprenticeship program through the Department of Labor, utilize their local technical college for instruction and participate in an ROI (Return on Investment) study at the completion of the grant.
Interested companies in the Florence-Darlington Technical College service area should contact Lauren Holland, Associate Vice President of Corporate and Workforce Development at 843-413-2739 or Lauren.Holland@fdtc.edu, or Shawn Reed, Program Director and Instructor for Machine Tool Technology, at 843-413-2746 or Shawn.Reed@fdtc.edu.
General