What Upstate Workforce Board does

The Upstate Workforce Board is a public workforce development entity operating under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) as the designated Local Workforce Development Board for Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties in South Carolina. Founded under WIOA in 2013 (with earlier programmatic history under the Workforce Investment Act), the board is headquartered at 145 North Church Street, Suite 504, Spartanburg, and operates through three SC Works physical centers (Spartanburg comprehensive center, Gaffney/Cherokee, and Union), an ACHIEVE youth training academy, and the statewide SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) platform for case management, referrals, and participant tracking.

The organization's core products are the SC Works Greater Upstate one-stop services for job seekers and employers (job listings, applicant screening, WIN/WorkKeys assessments, on-the-job training, labor market data), the ACHIEVE youth program administered by USC Upstate for 16-24-year-olds (GED preparation, pre-employment training, paid work experience), the Incumbent Worker Training grant program for employer upskilling, and specialized disability employment services supported by Oculus VR-based career exploration. Service delivery is executed operationally by Eckerd Connects as the WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker service provider and One-Stop Operator across Cherokee, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Union counties.

The board operates as a non-commercial public entity funded almost entirely by federal WIOA grants passed through the SC Department of Employment and Workforce, with PY26 allocations totaling approximately $2.68 million across six grant lines. All workforce services are provided free of charge to eligible individuals; the affiliated Upstate Workforce Futures Corporation, a non-profit, supplies supplementary support including the Danny E. Allen Memorial Scholarship. Customers are dual-sided: individual job seekers (adults, dislocated workers, out-of-school youth, individuals with disabilities) on the demand side, and regional employers — primarily advanced manufacturers such as BMW Manufacturing, Magna International, BASF, Milliken & Company, and Eaton — on the supply side. The board is governed by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors chaired by BASF ECMS site manager Jerome Kirkland, with Dana Hudgins appointed Executive Director effective August 18, 2025.

Name

Upstate Workforce Board

Legal name

Upstate Workforce Investment Board

Website

https://upstateworkforceboard.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Upstate Workforce Board is a federally designated WIOA Local Workforce Development Board serving Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties in South Carolina, delivering free employment services, training, and youth programs through SC Works centers and the Eckerd Connects-operated One-Stop system, funded by US Department of Labor grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Services (5613), Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Labor, Employment Standards & Workforce Development Administration (BPAIABAN), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Job seeker assistance
• Employer recruitment services
• Career training programs
• Youth employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Spartanburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. WIOA Adult Program: Federal workforce development funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. PY26 allocation: $911,779 for adult employment and training services.
2. WIOA Dislocated Worker Program: Federal funding for workers who have been laid off or terminated. PY26 allocation: $606,610.
3. WIOA Youth Program: Federal funding for youth workforce development services. PY26 allocation: $956,992.
4. Rapid Response: Federal funding for rapid response to layoffs and business closures. PY26 allocation: $51,975.
5. High-Performance Board: Performance-based incentive funding. PY26 allocation: $66,665.
6. Security Grant: Federal security-related workforce funding. PY26 allocation: $87,628.
7. Non-Federal Funds: $9,600 in non-federal funds for SC Works Spartanburg customer parking from the Upstate Workforce Board.
8. Donations: The Upstate Workforce Futures Corporation accepts donations to support local workforce initiatives.
9. Incumbent Worker Training: Grant awards to local employers for employee training (currently no funds available for Greenville, Spartanburg, Union or Cherokee counties).
10. SC Ports Community Giving Award: Grant of $2,500 from South Carolina Ports for Driver's Education Training and Intentional Mentorship Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Upstate Workforce Board is the federally designated Local Workforce Development Board for the Upstate region of South Carolina under WIOA. It delivers no-cost job seeker services (resume assistance, career counseling, training referrals, GED prep, work-based learning) and employer services (job postings, applicant screening, WorkKeys assessments, on-the-job training subsidies, labor market data) through SC Works centers, the SCWOS online portal, and a mobile unit across a 10-county service area.

Product overview

The Upstate Workforce Board operates a multi-component workforce development ecosystem under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The core offering is the SC Works Greater Upstate one-stop center network, which provides comprehensive employment services to job seekers and employers across Cherokee, Spartanburg and Union counties in South Carolina. Supporting this core platform are specialized programs including the ACHIEVE youth education and employment program, Incumbent Worker Training grants for employer upskilling, and targeted youth services. The organization also operates the Upstate Workforce Futures Corporation as a non-profit subsidiary for financial support and scholarships. All services are coordinated through regional plans aligned with WIOA requirements, with physical presence at multiple SC Works locations throughout the service area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Job Seeker Services
• Employer Services
• ACHIEVE Youth Program
• WorkKeys/WIN Assessments
• VR Career Exploration
• On-the-Job Training (OJT) Subsidies
• Labor Market Data and Information
• Sector-Based Training Programs

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Eckerd ConnectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Eckerd Connects has been selected as the WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker service provider and One-Stop Operator for both the Upstate Workforce Board and Greenville County Workforce Development Board, covering Cherokee, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Union counties. They deliver comprehensive employment and training services, coordinate service delivery among workforce system partners, and ensure seamless customer-centered access to career resources through the SC Works system.
• University of South Carolina UpstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSC Upstate administers the ACHIEVE (Academic Challenges Helping Individuals Expand Values and Education) Program, an educational and employment program serving high school dropouts ages 16-24 from Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties. The program provides GED preparation, pre-employment training, life skills, and job placement services.
• South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SC DEW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSC DEW is the state agency that provides WIOA funding to local workforce boards and oversees workforce development programs statewide. The Upstate Workforce Board receives federal funding through SC DEW for WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs.
• South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Upstate Workforce Board and SC Works Greater Upstate partnered with DJJ to implement EmpowerU, a structured career exploration program for at-risk youth using virtual reality technology and classroom instruction.
• Upstate AlliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization providing data and resources about the Upstate South Carolina economy, including information about major employers, job growth, and quality of life factors that inform workforce planning.
• Spartanburg Chamber of CommercesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chamber providing business networking, economic development data, and partnership opportunities. The chamber has featured workforce programs including SC Works VR career exploration technology.
• Worklink, Greenville, and Upper Savannah Development BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether with these workforce boards, the Upstate Workforce Board forms the Greater Upstate Region for workforce development planning under WIOA. These boards collaborate on regional workforce strategies, sector partnerships, and the 14-county regional plan.
• Spartanburg County GovernmentsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government that appoints board members and supports workforce initiatives. Spartanburg County attracted 23 economic development projects totaling $745 million and 1,220 new jobs in 2024.
• ReadySCsecondaryOthersState workforce training program that businesses receiving services through ReadySC are not eligible for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) funding through the Upstate Workforce Board.
• South Carolina Ports AuthoritysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSC Ports awarded $2,500 from their Community Giving Award to the Upstate Workforce Futures Corporation to fund Driver's Education Training for the USC Upstate ACHIEVE GED Program and the Intentional Mentorship Program.
• Upstate Mobility AlliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional transportation policy organization working to make the Upstate a vibrant and connected region. The Upstate Workforce Board participates in discussions about transportation and workforce connectivity.
• Upstate Manufacturing Employers (BMW, Michelin, Magna, Eaton, Milliken, BASF)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor manufacturing employers in the region who partner with the workforce board for hiring, sector partnerships, and training programs. These companies include BMW Manufacturing Corporation, Magna International, Eaton, Milliken & Company, and BASF.
• Cherokee County Development BoardsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty-level economic development board. Mr. Ken Moon represents Cherokee County Development Board on the Upstate Workforce Board.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Upper Savannah Council of Governments Workforce Development: WIOA Local Workforce Development Board serving Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, and Saluda counties. Fellow Greater Upstate regional partner and co-developer of the 14-county regional workforce plan.
• Worklink Workforce Development Board: Adjacent South Carolina WIOA Local Workforce Development Board covering Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties. Co-partners with Upstate Workforce Board on the 14-county Greater Upstate regional plan and shares the Eckerd Connects service-delivery contract.
• Eckerd Connects: National nonprofit selected as WIOA Adult/Dislocated Worker service provider and One-Stop Operator for both Upstate Workforce Board and Greenville County WDB. Directly delivers the employment and training services the board funds.
• Greenville County Workforce Development Board: WIOA-designated workforce board serving Greenville County in the same Greater Upstate region. Shares the Eckerd Connects Adult/Dislocated Worker provider contract and collaborates on the regional four-year workforce plan.
• Goodwill Industries of the Upstate: Regional Goodwill affiliate operating workforce development, job training, and barrier-population employment programs in the same Upstate South Carolina geography. Comparable mission around employment barriers, disabilities, and reentry populations.

Others

• National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB): National membership association representing the U.S. network of Local Workforce Development Boards. Provides advocacy, training, and peer benchmarking that directly informs the operating model and funding framework of boards like Upstate Workforce Board.

Emerging players

• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training, mentorship, and job placement for young adults facing opportunity barriers. Highly comparable youth-focused workforce development model to the board's ACHIEVE program, though operating at national scale.

Regional players

• Spartanburg County First Steps: Local First Steps partnership serving Spartanburg County children and families with a focus on early childhood and school readiness. Operates in the same geography and shares overlapping youth-development objectives with the board's ACHIEVE program.

Broad incumbents

• South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SC DEW): State agency that administers WIOA funding flowing to Upstate Workforce Board and oversees all local workforce development boards in South Carolina. Acts as funder, regulator, and statewide convener — a higher-level institutional peer.
• SERCO: Large national workforce services contractor that delivers WIOA, SNAP E&T, and other employment programs for state and local workforce boards across multiple states. Comparable outsourced service-provider role to Eckerd Connects for boards like Upstate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/upstatewib

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Upstate Workforce Board