Building Workforce Solutions Across the Upstate: A Week of Progress and Partnership
At WorkLink, workforce development is most effective when it brings together employers, educators, community organizations, and public partners to address real workforce challenges. This week, our team continued advancing several initiatives designed to strengthen workforce access, support local businesses, and create new opportunities for job seekers throughout Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties.
Expanding Access Through the DEW Connection Points Initiative
One of our key priorities is supporting the proposed Connection Points initiative in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). The goal is to increase workforce service accessibility in rural communities by identifying strategic public locations where residents can connect with employment resources and technology.
Current efforts include evaluating liability considerations for public facilities that may host workforce access computers, exploring available training opportunities for local site hosts, and identifying grant funding that could help offset startup and operating costs. These conversations are helping lay the foundation for a sustainable model that reaches job seekers where they live and work.
Pursuing Resources to Strengthen Workforce Services
WorkLink continues to actively monitor several grant opportunities that have the potential to expand services and improve outcomes for both employers and job seekers. Current areas of focus include security and technology funding, as well as a new apprenticeship grant opportunity that could support the relaunch of an On-the-Job Training program.
These investments would help strengthen workforce infrastructure while creating additional pathways for individuals to gain valuable skills and employment experience.
Supporting Regional Employers Through Strategic Partnerships
Employer engagement remains a cornerstone of WorkLink’s mission. This week, the team is coordinating several joint employer visits with DEW Business Services staff throughout Anderson and Pickens counties to better understand workforce needs and identify opportunities for collaboration.
We are also reconnecting with partners at Clemson University regarding workforce planning associated with Mosdorfer’s planned operations in Oconee County. Discussions are focused on future technician workforce needs and strategies to help ensure a strong talent pipeline as the company grows.
Creating Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing and Skilled Trades
WorkLink is collaborating with workforce partners to develop a training pathway leading to D1 and D1.5 welding certifications. These certifications are expected to support a commercial bridge builder operating while creating valuable career opportunities for local residents.
Additional discussions with Pickens County Adult Education are exploring ways to build sustainable workforce pipelines that connect adult learners with in-demand careers. By aligning workforce, education, and employer resources, these partnerships can help reduce barriers to training while meeting critical labor market needs.
A Long-Term Workforce Strategy for a Picken’s County Manufacturer
WorkLink has also been working closely with the HR team at a local manufacturer on a multi-year workforce strategy focused on recruiting and training second- and third-shift welders, along with qualified trainers. The initiative has the potential to support meaningful workforce participation goals while addressing a significant employer need.
The partnership is also exploring ways to leverage Adult Education resources to reduce training and certification costs, maximizing the impact of available workforce funding and creating a more efficient pathway into employment.
Continuing Employer Outreach Across the Region
Additional outreach efforts this week include planned visits with area employers in Anderson and Oconee counties to better understand workforce challenges and opportunities. These conversations help ensure that workforce development strategies remain aligned with the evolving needs of regional employers.
Addressing Child Care as a Workforce Barrier
Recognizing that workforce participation extends beyond training and job placement, WorkLink is also working with community partners to address child care challenges that can impact employment. Recent discussions with local leaders focused on increasing awareness of child care-related workforce barriers and exploring practical, cost-effective solutions employers can use to support working families.
Looking Ahead
The common thread across these initiatives is partnership. Whether supporting rural access to services, building talent pipelines for employers, expanding training opportunities, or addressing barriers to employment, WorkLink remains committed to creating workforce solutions that strengthen individuals, businesses, and communities throughout the Upstate. As these projects continue to develop, we look forward to sharing additional progress and success stories in the months ahead.
Keith J Keller Jr
Interim Executive Director
November 3rd, 2026
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