Services


 

Services

Recruiting Assistance


SC Works Pee Dee understands how costly and time consuming it can be to locate, screen, interview and hire employees. This is why our Business Services Team offers businesses a full array of services specifically designed to help you through these processes.

 SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) links all of South Carolina's state and local workforce services and resources and, consequently, is the state's largest workforce development database. With a few mouse clicks, you can post positions, search and prescreen candidates and review job market trends.

Some benefits of using SCWOS include:

  • Automated updates of candidates meeting minimum job qualifications.
  • Labor Market Information showing employment trends and local workforce information.
  • Job postings at no cost to the employer.
  • Direct line to Business Service Representatives for assistance.

In order to use SCWOS, you will need to create an account that is at no cost to you. In ensure the integrity of the database, all new employer accounts must be verified. Once approved, you will be notified via the email address you provided.

To register or log in to SCWOS, click here. If you need assistance using this robust system, please contact Dianne Herrington at (843) 687-0091 or email at d-herrington@peedeecog.org.

Assessments

South Carolina Ready to Work is an employee credentialing program tailored to help employers identify, hire and train employees with the most potential. The best part is that the program is of no cost to you.

The credential includes three foundational components: Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information and Locating Information. Additionally, employees can be tested on Essential Soft Skills.

To learn more about South Carolina Ready to Work, click here.

Candidate Screening and Matching Services

SC Works Pee Dee provides businesses with assistance in identifying qualified candidates. In addition to screening and skills matching, SC Works staff can provide services for mass hirings, new business openings and immediate job needs.

To have SC Works staff assist you with candidate screening and matching services, please contact Dianne Herrington at (843) 687-0091 or email at d-herrington@peedeecog.org.

Interviewing Facilities

Any of the SC Works Pee Dee Centers are ready to provide you with a private, convenient location to interview applicants that have been pre-matched to your specific employment needs.

To reserve space to complete your interviews in the center closest to you, please explore the Locations section of the website.

Veterans Services

Hiring a veteran is a win-win for a business. Not only does a veteran bring soft skills like time management and leadership, but the technical skills learned through their military job. When you hire a veteran, there are programs that can give your business incentives like tax credits and fidelity bonds for eligible employees.

In our SC Works Centers, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) representatives and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER) can refer quality, pre-screened military applicants based on your needs and the qualifications of the job.

You can also find qualified military applicants by recruiting at job fairs and hiring events. SC Works Pee Dee gives priority to veterans. Typically, veterans are allowed the first thirty minutes of a Job Fair to meet with employers before other job seekers are admitted. 

Transitional Assistance

Businesses can sometimes face unexpected changes like plant shut downs, layoffs or business closures.

With the help of SC Works and the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW), there are programs and services available to help plan for this change and assist you through the process—starting with a confidential consultation to see how we can best help.

For an alternative to a layoff and closure, you may be able eligible to provide your employees with Incumbent Worker Training (IWT).

If you are having to layoff employees or close your business, you will be interested in the programs below:

Rapid Response

The SC Rapid Reemployment Team responds to downsizing and closures that impact South Carolina workers, enabling those affected to return to work as quickly as possible.

This is an opportunity for companies to help their workers make informed decisions concerning their future. Rapid Response services can encourage a more positive attitude toward their employer.

To start, a meeting with company management provides a description of services that can be offered. Employee demographics are also discussed to help the Rapid Reemployment Team prepare.

Next, company management will schedule a team member to come onsite to provide the impacted workers with information on the services and benefits available. At the request of the company, SC Works staff can offer some services onsite, including, resume building, interviewing skills, online registration for job searches, etc. 

Resources

Rapid Response Info (English)

Rapid Response Info (Spanish)

Are you at risk of a layoff or need to submit a WARN letter?

Email:rr@dew.sc.gov 

For further information regarding the Dislocated Worker Unit or Rapid Response services, please contact Greg Fluke at gfluke@dew.sc.gov or 803-737-1572.

Information on the Worker Adjustment Retraining Nitrification (WARN) Act can be found at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/Layoff/pdfs/_EmployerWARN2003.pdf

Find a sample WARN letter here.

For the latest South Carolina WARN report, click here.

To view South Carolina WARN reports from previous years, click here.

Training Assistance

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

On-the-Job Training (OJT) is a proven, evidence-based strategy under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that provides for reimbursements to businesses to help compensate for the costs associated with skills upgrading and loss of production for the training of newly hired employees.  OJT funds provide reimbursement to businesses of up to 50 percent of the wage rate of OJT participants (in certain circumstances up to 75 percent) to help defray the personnel training costs of new employees. 

For more information about OJT, please contact Dianne Herrington at (843) 687-0091 or email at d-herrington@peedeecog.org.

Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)

Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) helps you stay on the cutting edge and increase productivity and quality by providing employees with needed training in order for the business to remain competitive. IWT is a training resource to help businesses respond to changing skills' requirements caused by new technology, re-tooling, new product lines or new organizational structuring. Learn more by contacting Dianne Herrington for details and funding availability.

A new IWT funding opportunity is available as of 02/08/2024. Applications are due 03/01/2024 by 5:00 pm. Please find links to the Application and Scoring Sheet below. Contact Dianne Herrington at d-herrington@peedeecog.org for more information. 

IWT Procedures
IWT Application
IWT Scoring Sheet

South Carolina Ready to Work

South Carolina Ready to Work is an employee credentialing program tailored to help employers identify, hire and train employees with the most potential. The best part is that the program is of no cost to you.

The credential includes three foundational components: Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information and Locating Information. Additionally employees can be tested on Essential Soft Skills.

To learn more about South Carolina Ready to Work, click here.

Workplace Literacy

Workplace Literacy is an Adult Education program designed to improve the productivity of the workforce, by offering adult education and literacy activities in collaboration with an employer or employee organization at a workplace or an off-site location. Workplace adult education and literacy services are customizable and can be provided from the current menu of adult education services or they can be developed in collaboration with an employer to address a specific workforce need. For help establishing a Workplace Literacy program, contact your local adult education provider. Contact information can be found in the Partners section of this website. 

Apprenticeship Carolina

Registered Apprenticeships are a time-tested strategy for employee development that combine supervised on-the-job learning with job-related classroom education. This training model excels in getting new employees up to speed and maximizing the skills of the current workforce.

Apprenticeship programs can be found in a variety of industries including, advanced manufacturing, information technology, energy, tourism, transportation and logistics, as well as health care. Registered Apprenticeships provides employers with the unique opportunity to grow their own workforce and the benefits are numerous:

  • Higher skill level amongst employees.
  • Decreased turnover.
  • Improved productivity.
  • Structured and consistent training.
  • State tax credit.

To view the Registered Apprenticeship WIOA Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL), please visit the PATh website by clicking here. To list your Registered Apprenticeship on the WIOA Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL), please visit the PATh website here.

For more information about apprenticeships in South Carolina, contact Apprenticeship Carolina. Contact information can be found in the Partners section of the website.

Business Tax Credits

Business Tax Credits

New and existing businesses hiring new employees may be eligible for tax credits and other incentives depending on the nature of the job and industry, and the status of the employees hired to fill the jobs.

Find available tax credits and incentives below:

Apprenticeship Tax Credit

Eligible South Carolina businesses who sponsor a registered apprenticeship program can receive a $1,000 direct tax credit for each registered apprentice employed for at least seven months during each year of apprenticeship for up to four years. The tax credit is intended to offset the direct and indirect costs of establishing the registered apprenticeship program. Costs may include course design and development, instructional costs, training material and supplies, maintaining records and administering the program.

For more information about Registered Apprenticeships, click here.

For more information about the Apprenticeship Tax Credit, visit Apprenticeship Carolina’s website here.

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Tax Credit

Through the SC Department of Social Services (DSS), employers who hire Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants may qualify for tax credits.

For more information about this tax credit, please visit the DSS website here.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

     What is WOTC?

Businesses that take advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program may receive a tax credit every time they hire an eligible new employee.

Administered by the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW), WOTC is a federally funded tax credit program designed to provide an incentive for businesses to hire unemployed veterans, disabled veterans and individuals with documented barriers to employment.

“For-profit” entities can receive a 40 percent tax credit against first-year qualifying wages paid when new hires have been employed for 400 hours or more. (Qualifying wage caps apply.)

Qualified tax-exempt “not for-profit” 501(c) entities can participate when hiring qualifying veterans. The credit is 26 percent of the first-year wages when new hires have been employed for 400 hours or more. (Qualifying wage caps apply.)

With absolutely no limit on the number of qualified hires your business can claim, you can receive anywhere from $2,400 to $9,600 for each one of your eligible employees.

The program is simple. Businesses make the hiring decision, and then complete the minimal paperwork to apply for the credit.

You can benefit from hiring within the following groups:

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipient
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients
  • Empowerment Zone residents
  • Marlboro County Rural Renewal Community residents
  • Vocational Rehabilitation or Ticket-to-Work Participants
  • Recently released ex-felons
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
  • Disabled veterans who within the last year were discharged or unemployed for more than six months
  • Unemployed veterans
  • Veterans receiving SNAP
  • Long-term unemployment recipient

You can mail or electronically file your requests. Requests must be postmarked or e-filed within 28 days of the employee’s start date. 

Take advantage of the WOTC program and increase your return on investment while helping targeted employees become self-sufficient and earn a steady income. 

     WOTC Tools

Click the links below to view and print the forms you will need to participate in this program.  

For more information, contact WOTC@dew.sc.gov or click here to visit the Department of Labor's website. Click here to view the brochure for more information.

Federal Bonding

Are you reluctant to hire difficult-to-bond individuals? The Federal Bonding program provides six months of fidelity bonding coverage in the amount of $5,000 at no cost to the business or individual. This allows employers to expand their recruiting efforts, hire the desired talent and be protected against employee acts of dishonesty resulting in a monetary loss. 

If you are interested in bonding an applicant as a condition of their employment offer, please contact Amy Hill at FederalBonding@dew.sc.gov before the newly hired employee’s start date. A Federal Bonding staff member will contact you for the necessary information needed to prepare the paperwork. The request will then be submitted to the fidelity bonding insurance company.

Both the business and the newly hired employee must be registered in the SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) system to qualify for a “no cost” Federal Bond. Businesses and individuals can register in SCWOS here. The bond will be sent directly to the business within 15 days after the insurance company receives the paperwork and will be retroactive to the start date. Bonds automatically terminate after six months, but the business may opt to renew the bond at their expense for a low premium. Current employees can only be bonded in an effort to avert a layoff or secure a promotion.
Brochures
SC Works Pee Dee Request Form
If you are interested in the SC Works Pee Dee Team assisting you with an event, please complete the form below and submit to peedeecogworkforce@peedeecog.org. You will notified of the status via email.

SC Works Participation Request Form