Grant Awards • $343,567 : Engage, Build, & Serve State Grant awarded for adult/dislocated workers and youth participants. • $392,729 : Resiliency State Grant Award for adult/dislocated workers and youth participants. By the Numbers • 300 : Total participants served in the Lowcountry service area. • 1,654 : Number of employers served (new and repeat). • 7,280 : Number of services to employers (new and repeat). • $348,371 : Total training dollars spent on WIOA participants. • $141,446 : On-the-Job Training (OJT) funds expended. • 32 OJT agreements that facilitated employer partnerships, resulting in an average wage range of $15 to $32 per hour for trainees. • 12 Youth OJT employer contracts totaling $35,933. Career Sector Training • Healthcare: $54,880 • Technology: $17,974 Supportive Services • $33,357 for child care, uniforms, testing fees, transportation costs, books and tuition. Recognitions • Two Business Service Team members received their Certified Business Services Consultant certifications. • Client Jacob Cox received the 2023 Welding Top Producer Award from employer The Fuller Pile . • Diversified Manufacturing: $139,916 • Transportation and Logistics: $135,600
DEVELOPMENT Workforce
Jacob Cox WIOA Participant
Jamie Ragonesi Owner of Prestige Heating and Air WIOA OJT Employer and Training Provider “We’re thrilled with Prestige’s OJT training program. Like many in our region, finding qualified workers was challenging, limiting our growth and impacting our reputation. But, thanks to the Lowcountry Council of Governments' Workforce Development OJT (On- The-Job Training) program and our collaboration with Business Services Manager Tony Pollen, we’ve onboarded several eager-to-learn employees, eyeing a lasting career with us. Not only does the program help shoulder some training costs, but it’s also brought us motivated and enthusiastic team members. It’s a game-changer! We genuinely believe it’s a win-win for everyone involved!”
In 2022, Jacob Cox enrolled in the WIOA program, and, unlike most participants, he knew right away which career path he wanted to pursue — welding. Although Jacob had recently experienced homelessness and didn’t have reliable transportation, his can-do attitude and positive outlook made an impression on those who administered the WIOA program at LCOG. Jacob completed the welding training program with flying colors and the related remediation courses, which improved his math and reading skills. Upon completion, he landed a job with The Fuller Pile of Walterboro, where he is still employed. “Participating in this program gave me a certification that I can now make as much money as I desire in different areas of welding. I’ve been able to increase my pay from where I started, and through that, I gained better transportation."
Odis Norris WIOA Participant
Odis Norris enrolled in the WIOA program in 2023 after being laid off from her nursing job the previous year. As an RN, she was an excellent candidate for an on-the-job training position at ComForCare in Bluffton. This allowed her to make a competitive wage and train for a permanent, full-time position as a nurse supervisor. While enrolled, she learned new skills and gained a position with a higher wage than her previous position.
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