SC Works Trident partners with Lowcountry Careers Collaborative

New Initiative Aims to Train 1,000 Healthcare Workers by 2025

SC Works Trident, a Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) program, is partnering with Lowcountry Careers Collaborative (LCC) to recruit 1,000 healthcare workers by 2025.

SC Works Trident is a key convener in the project, bringing its recruitment and workforce training expertise and resources to the effort powered by the $8.4M Good Jobs Challenge Grant from the Economic Development Agency.

“The strength of our healthcare sector is a key indicator of the health of our regional economy,” said BCDCOG Workforce Development Director Sharon Goss. “The healthcare industry offers a rewarding and exciting career path and is comprised of some of the area’s largest and most respected employers. This initiative is a great step in public and private sector entities coming together to ensure that all in our region have access to high-quality career paths and that our talent pipeline remains strong.”

Project targets include:

• 1,000 program participants enrolled in training

• 750 participants placed with employer partners

LCC is empowering residents of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties to launch thriving healthcare careers through financial assistance and comprehensive support services. LCC offers scholarships, tuition assistance, and a robust suite of wraparound services to students enrolled in nursing assisting, medical assisting and radiologic technology programs. By addressing barriers such as childcare, transportation and financial literacy, LCC is helping to create a skilled and diverse healthcare workforce in the Lowcountry. To be eligible to receive tuition assistance and/or wraparound services through LCC, individuals must be a resident of Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester County and have a household income of 200% or less of the federal poverty guideline.

Employment opportunities have been secured via partner commitments from MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Bishop Gadsen Episcopal Retirement Community, East Cooper Medical Center, Fetter Health Network, Franke at Seaside, and the Healthcare Corporation of America.

Those interested in participating in the program can get involved by completing the program interest form online or by attending an in-person workshop at SC Works Trident.

SC Works Trident will host the first LCC Open House on Wednesday, August 21. The event is designed for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester County residents interested in exploring entry-level healthcare training opportunities. Those interested can attend one of two information sessions, at 10 or 11 a.m. Pre-registration is not required to attend.

LCC is led by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and SC Works Trident with support from GOODSTOCK Consulting and Palmetto Goodwill.  Roper St. Francis Healthcare acts as the champion of a group of the region’s top healthcare employers committed to LCC trainees.  LCC support will be available to the Trident region through June 2025.

For more information about the Lowcountry Careers Collaborative in Healthcare, contact [email protected].

About SC Works Trident

SC Works Trident comprises one-stop centers in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. SC Works Trident offers a variety of services to help employers and job seekers meet their workforce development needs. For the latest on SC Works, visit SCWorksTrident.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary Aides and Services are Available upon request.

For program funding details in compliance with the Stevens Amendment, please visit https://www.scworkstrident.org/.

About Lowcountry Careers Collaborative

The Lowcountry Careers Collaborative (LCC) is funded by an $8.4 million grant through the Good Jobs Challenge funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan received by the Charleston Chamber Foundation. LCC is a collective of employers, training providers, community-based organizations and the Trident Workforce Development Board to raise the representation of diverse populations, particularly people of color, women and people from rural communities within the lowcountry’s workforce. LCC’s mission is to connect employers in the healthcare space, community organizations and service providers to train workers for high-quality jobs by expanding access to career pathways. Learn more at LowcountryCareers.org.