What SC Works does

SC Works is the workforce development system of the State of South Carolina, operated by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), a cabinet-level state agency. Established in 2014 following the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), SC Works delivers free employment services to jobseekers and recruitment support to employers across all 46 South Carolina counties, organized into 12 Local Workforce Development Areas. Its core technology platform is SC Works Online Services (SCWOS), a statewide workforce database that aggregates job listings from third-party sources including Monster and Career Builder and supports up to 10 resumes per jobseeker account and free employer job postings. Service delivery combines physical SC Works Centers and over 100 Connection Points (libraries and community organizations), a mobile SC Career Coach unit (10 workstations, WiFi, wheelchair accessible), a BrazenConnect-powered Virtual Engagement Center, and a claimant self-service portal for unemployment insurance filing.

SC Works is fully government-funded through WIOA Title I federal allocations, state appropriations, and federal Pell Grant funding under the Workforce Pell program. All services — career counseling, resume assistance, job matching, recruiting support, and facility use — are provided at no cost to jobseekers or employers. Specialized programs target priority populations under WIOA, including veterans, youth, individuals with disabilities, and ex-offenders, with co-located partner agencies (DSS, Vocational Rehabilitation, Adult Education, Commission for the Blind) delivering integrated services under the one-stop model. Recent programmatic additions include SC@Work Rural Connections for underserved rural areas and the July 2025 Workforce Pell expansion covering short-term (8–15 week) training programs subject to 70% completion and 70% job placement accountability thresholds.

The system is governed by the State Workforce Development Board, appointed by the Governor, and 12 Local Workforce Development Boards. Strategic partnerships with the SC Technical College System, SC Department of Commerce, Apprenticeship Carolina, Chambers of Commerce, and the SC Department of Corrections anchor an ecosystem spanning training, economic development, apprenticeships, and reentry services. SC Works does not operate as a commercial enterprise: there is no revenue disclosure, no equity funding, and no private ownership. Its growth trajectory is bounded by statewide scope and federal/state appropriations cycles, with operational expansion driven primarily by federal policy changes (e.g., WIOA, Workforce Pell) and state-mandated modernization (SC Works PASS, virtual engagement).

Name

SC Works

Legal name

SC Works (operated by S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce)

Website

https://scworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SC Works is South Carolina's state-operated workforce development system, administered by the SC Department of Employment and Workforce, delivering free job search, career counseling, and employer hiring services across all 46 counties through physical centers, mobile units, and the SCWOS online platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131), Employment Services (5613), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

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

Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Supported Employment & Job Coaching (EDAKANAE)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Job search assistance
• Career counseling services
• Unemployment insurance administration
• Employer recruitment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Clemson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Workforce Pell Grant Program: Federal Pell Grant funding is distributed to eligible workforce programs through the Workforce Pell initiative. Programs must meet specific accountability metrics including completion rates (70% minimum), job placement rates (70% minimum), and value-added earnings requirements. The program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce under the direction of the Governor and the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development.
2. WIOA Title I Funding: Federal workforce development funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth funding streams administered through 12 Local Workforce Development Areas across the state.
3. Employer Tax Credits Administration: SC Works facilitates employer access to tax credit programs including Apprenticeship Tax Credits, Work Opportunity Tax Credits, Federal Bonding Program, and retrainSC incentives, which are funded through state tax policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SC Works is South Carolina's statewide workforce development system, administered by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). It provides job seekers with career counseling, job search tools, training referrals, and pre-employment screening, while offering employers recruiting assistance, job posting, and candidate matching services. Core services are delivered free of charge through a network of physical centers, the SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) platform, mobile units, and a virtual engagement center, alongside unemployment insurance administration.

Product overview

SC Works is South Carolina's statewide workforce development system operating as a network of 12 Local Workforce Development Areas with physical centers in all 46 counties and virtual services. The core platform is SC Works Online Services (SCWOS), the state's largest workforce database, supplemented by the SC Career Coach mobile unit and SC Works PASS pre-screening system. Key programs include the Workforce Pell grant program, Unemployment Insurance administration, SC@Work: Rural Connections for underserved areas, and a Virtual Engagement Center powered by BrazenConnect. The system provides employment services for jobseekers (including veterans, youth, individuals with disabilities, and ex-offenders) and recruitment services for employers through centers, connection points, and online platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) Online portal for job seekers to search jobs, create resumes, access career resources, and for employers to post jobs, search resumes, and access labor market information.
• SC Works Centers Brick-and-mortar workforce centers where job seekers access in-person career counseling, workshops, and employer services, and employers can recruit candidates.
• SC Career Coach Mobile unit providing workforce development services, including job search assistance and career counseling, in rural counties without nearby SC Works Centers.
• SC Works Virtual Engagement Center Virtual environment for job seekers and employers to participate in online hiring fairs, interview candidates, and attend workforce workshops.
• Unemployment Insurance Program Program administered by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce providing unemployment insurance benefits to eligible South Carolina workers, including an online Claimant Self Service Portal.
• SC Works PASS Pre-employment screening service designed to accelerate re-employment for unemployment claimants by connecting them with employers seeking specific skill sets.
• Workforce Pell Grants Funding support through Federal Pell Grants available to individuals pursuing short-term workforce training programs at SC technical colleges.
• Ready to Work Credential Program State workforce credentialing program providing tuition assistance and supportive services to South Carolinians pursuing short-term training at participating technical colleges.
• SC@Work: Rural Connections Workforce development initiative bringing career services, employer connections, and broadband-supported engagement to rural South Carolina counties.
• Claimant Self Service Portal Self-service online portal through which unemployment insurance claimants can file initial claims, manage weekly certifications, and update personal information.
• Veterans Portal Online portal connecting veterans and military spouses to employment resources, job listings, and workforce development services tailored to their needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 jobseekers served at 24 rural locations with 600 follow-up interviews through SC@Work Road Trips 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW)coreOthersPrimary administrative agency for SC Works system, administering WIOA programs, Unemployment Insurance, and the Workforce Pell Grant program. Provides Wagner-Peyser employment services, Trade Adjustment Assistance, and veteran employment services.
• SC Department of Social Services (DSS)coreOthersProvides assistance programs including TANF and SNAP with workforce components. Refers recipients to SC Works for employment services through partner integration in SCWOS.
• SC Vocational RehabilitationcoreOthersPrepares and assists eligible South Carolinians with disabilities to achieve and maintain competitive employment. Co-located at SC Works centers providing services to individuals with disabilities.
• SC Commission for the BlindcoreOthersHelps blind and visually impaired residents gain independence and access employment opportunities. Provides Bridge Program and other specialized services through SC Works centers.
• Adult EducationcoreOthersProvides adult education, literacy programs, and high school equivalency (GED) preparation. Integrates with SC Works centers to help adults earn credentials needed for employment.
• State Workforce Development Board (SWDB)coreOthersProvides direction to DEW and the workforce system on workforce development issues, particularly WIOA. Comprised of business leaders, legislators, local officials, and workforce partners. Governs the 12 Local Workforce Development Areas.
• Local Workforce Development BoardscoreOthers12 regional boards that oversee SC Works center operations and workforce development activities within their designated Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDAs).
• SC Technical College SystemmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides workforce training programs, apprenticeships, and career pathways. Technical colleges serve as eligible training providers and host workforce development initiatives.
• SC Department of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development agency supporting workforce alignment with business needs. Collaborates on sector strategies and talent pipeline development for key industries.
• Apprenticeship CarolinamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with employers to develop registered apprenticeship programs meeting industry workforce needs. Provides technical assistance for apprenticeship development.
• SC Chambers of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState and local chambers collaborate on workforce initiatives, business networking, and connecting employers with SC Works recruitment services.
• SC Department of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on workforce preparation and career readiness programs for students. Supports alignment between educational outcomes and workforce needs.
• SC Department of CorrectionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on ex-offender employment services, helping individuals with criminal records access workforce development and job placement services.
• Palmetto GoodwillminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides job connection services and hosts Federal Bonding workshops at SC Works Rural Connections events. Goodwill locations serve as Connection Points for workforce services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CareerBuilder: Legacy job board whose listings SCWOS aggregates into the SC Works database. Comparable job-aggregation and matching functionality but as a commercial platform competing for employer share-of-spend.
• Robert Half: Specialized staffing firm focused on professional, finance, technology, and administrative roles. Competes with SC Works for employer recruiting in skilled occupation categories where SC Works training programs produce graduates.
• Indeed: World's largest job board aggregating listings from multiple sources. Directly comparable to SCWOS's job aggregation functionality (SCWOS even aggregates from Indeed competitors like Monster and CareerBuilder), competing for employer attention in candidate sourcing.
• LinkedIn: Largest professional network and job matching platform globally. Competes with SCWOS for employer job postings and candidate matching, but operates as a commercial, fee-based platform rather than a free public service.
• Adecco Group: Global staffing and workforce solutions provider operating across permanent placement, temporary staffing, and workforce development. Comparable employment placement and training services at much larger commercial scale.
• Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit driving workforce development transformation through research, policy, and program implementation across multiple states. Comparable as a broader-scale workforce development intermediary, but operates at national scope rather than a single state.

Direct peers

• Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free technology workforce training and job placement services for adults from underserved communities. Comparable mission of free short-term training leading to employment outcomes, overlapping with SC Works' Workforce Pell-eligible programs.
• Goodwill Industries International: Nonprofit providing free employment services, job training, and career counseling to job seekers including those with barriers to employment. Operates as a channel partner to SC Works (Palmetto Goodwill hosts Federal Bonding workshops and acts as Connection Points) and shares the same target population and mission.
• Year Up: Workforce training nonprofit focused on young adults from underserved communities, providing job skills training, corporate internships, and placement support. Comparable target populations (youth, priority populations under WIOA) and similar short-term training → placement model.

Emerging players

• ZipRecruiter: AI-driven job matching platform focused on SMB employers with automated candidate-to-job matching. Comparable technology approach to SCWOS candidate matching but as a commercial platform targeting employers willing to pay.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SCWorksWorkLink
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sc-works-worklink

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 SC Works