Technical & Skills Training – Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech)
Industry-focused technical and skills training is available through Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech), supporting both current and emerging workforce needs. Offerings include industry-aligned certificates and associate degrees, including South Carolina’s only Electronic Instrumentation degree program. Employers can leverage customized training tied directly to their equipment and processes, while short-term, job-ready credentials enable rapid hiring and faster onboarding.
State-Supported Workforce Training – readySC
State-supported workforce training helps employers ramp up quickly and efficiently. Through readySC, companies can access no-cost pre-employment and incumbent worker training tailored to new operations, expansions, and retooling efforts. Training is customized to employer needs and can be delivered on-site, virtually, or through a college partner to ensure flexibility and speed to productivity.
Apprenticeships & Earn-While-You-Learn – Apprenticeship Carolina
Apprenticeships and proven earn-while-you-learn programs connect employers with a reliable pipeline of skilled talent. Apprenticeship Carolina supports registered programs in maintenance, mechatronics, machining, and other in-demand trades, aligning training directly with employer needs. This program combines paid, on-the-job training with structured instruction, helping reduce turnover while building a stable, long-term workforce.
Recruitment & Hiring Support – SC Works
SC Works provides comprehensive recruitment and hiring support to help businesses find the right talent efficiently. Services include job posting and candidate matching to connect employers with qualified applicants, as well as organizing hiring events and customized recruitment campaigns tailored to meet specific workforce needs. Employers also gain access to a range of workforce incentives and hiring resources, helping streamline the hiring process while maximizing cost-effectiveness and talent retention.
Hiring, Upskilling & Retention Support
Orangeburg County supports manufacturers at every step of their evolution, not just at hiring. It’s about training existing employees on process changes, automation, and new technologies and creating clear pathways for frontline workers to upskill into technical and supervisory roles. The focus is on real people and real growth working to boost retention, reducing turnover and stabilizing production schedules and developing rapid response coordination to address workforce challenges that could impact operations.