SouthernCarolina Alliance Prepares Regional Workforce to Fill Critical Jobs at Local Industries
October 14, 2026
SouthernCarolina Alliance (SCA) has played a pivotal role in the creation of almost $4.5 billion in private capital investment and more than 14,000 jobs in its rural region of South Carolina over the last three decades. In recent years, the area has benefitted from an influx of industries in the advanced manufacturing, power generation, and emerging technology sectors locating their operations within the region. Recognizing the need that would arise to fill new job positions in the targeted sectors, SCA has led a Regional Workforce Program to fill the critical jobs available at industries throughout the seven-county region, a strategic investment that is the first of its kind in South Carolina.
The creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center that SCA operates in Fairfax, South Carolina, aligns with the SouthernCarolina Alliance Regional Manufacturing Collaborative that was formed in July 2025, a dynamic partnership between SCA and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) dedicated to creating and implementing a strategic plan to create a regional workforce capable of filling current and future job opportunities in targeted sectors.
The Collaborative brought together state agencies and organizations representing workforce development, economic development, education, human services, local government, and industry to develop and implement a strategic plan that aligns with the South Carolina Unified State Plan for Education and Workforce Development approved by the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development in 2024.
SCA began leading the Regional Workforce Program in December 2024, made possible by grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Community Capacity Building Grant Program (CCBGP) to support community capacity building, by renovating an existing building in a disadvantaged community into a regional workforce training center designed to train craft workers. Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) also contributed grant funding to help with the regional workforce development efforts. SRMC President and Program Manager Dr. Tom Burns, who also serves on the SCA Board of Directors, said the organization does a phenomenal job of attracting industry to this area to diversify the state’s economy.
“It is a win for everyone who lives and works here when local economies are strong and thriving with businesses across all sectors,” Burns said. “Savannah River Mission Completion is proud to continually support SCA in its efforts to attract companies and develop the workforce in this region.”
On February 27, 2026, SCA celebrated the official opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMIC) in Allendale County, designed to train the workforce throughout the seven counties of the region by offering nationally recognized certifications. The current training courses include certified instruction programs for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-A and CDL-B), Welding, Machine Tool Technology, Industrial Maintenance Electrical and Instrumentation (IMEI), and Forklift Training and Certification. These short-term training programs are designed to train, certify, and place individuals in job positions over the period of 10 to 14 weeks.
The AMIC has had 108 graduates to date throughout all courses offered, with an additional 31 currently enrolled. 94% of graduates have been connected to and interviewed by local industries, with 72% being employed by regional industries including Nupi Americas, Hampton Lumber, Blackhorse Steel Works, Befesa, CurryCrete, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Scotsman Ice Systems, and more.
Skyler Marker, Plant Manager of Befesa, a market leader in the management and recycling of residues to the steel and aluminum industries located in Barnwell, is seeing positive impact firsthand in the company’s workforce because of the training courses provided at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center.
“Befesa recently hired a welder directly from the Innovation Center,” Marker said. “He has been a fantastic addition, and he knew what to do on day one with our team. Great program!”
Registration is now open for the next round of workforce training courses at the Advanced Manufacturing Center, located at 3791 Allendale-Fairfax Highway in Fairfax. Individuals interested in applying for courses can register by visiting: www.southerncarolina.org/workforce-training.
SouthernCarolina Alliance is the regional nonprofit economic development organization marketing the seven counties of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper for industrial recruitment and expansion. Since 1996, SCA has been a critical connector linking industry and governmental leaders at the state, national, and international levels and leads across sectors including advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, advanced composites, distribution, forest products, food processing, and alternative energy.
