Columbia College Partners with SC Works on Innovative Workforce Initiative

Columbia College Partners with SC Works on Innovative Workforce Initiative

Columbia, SC – Benedict College has announced a ground-breaking partnership with SC Works, becoming the first four-year institution in South Carolina to establish a SC Works Connection Point within its Best Lives Center (BLC). The initiative allows students and local community members to access job opportunities and career advancement services, as well as file for unemployment insurance through the Department of Employment and Workforce.

“We are thrilled to partner with SC Works on this critical initiative,” commented Vanessa Harris, executive director at the BLC. “This aligns perfectly with our mission, and will allow us to provide immediate assistance to job seekers while enriching their skill sets through our workshops.”

On February 28, 2024, executive director of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, William Floyd, toured the college’s state-of-the-art computer lab, where he learned more about the benefits of the SC Works Connection Point. Benedict College has since been featured prominently on the SC Works website as an official connection point.

“Benedict College is the first four-year institution in South Carolina to become a Connection Point,” Floyd said. “We are excited about this development and congratulate Benedict College for leading the way in workforce development through this partnership.”

SC Works will supply dedicated computers in the Benedict College’s computer lab, where students and the local community can access career services and apply for jobs.

This partnership between Benedict College and SC Works marks a significant step forward in South Carolina’s workforce development. Harmonizing academic institutions with resources such as SC Works connects students with opportunities that lead to career advancement, serving to strengthen both the community and the state’s broader economy.

The collaboration emphasizes the critical role of educational institutions like Columbia’s Benedict College in fostering workforce growth and prosperity in the region. This partnership could potentially serve as a model for further collaborations between SC Works and other educational entities across the state and country.