What Is The SLWIB?

The Santee-Lynches Workforce Investment Board is a "board of directors" empowered by the Workforce Act of 1998 to design and oversee a regional workforce system in the counties of Clarendon, Lee, Kershaw, and Sumter. The federal government invests in the Santee-Lynches region to train and re-train workers toward self-sufficiency.

Board membership is by appointment of county councils and approved by the Governor, and is voluntary. The Santee-Lynches Workforce Investment Board (WIB) is comprised of business and industry leaders, CEOs, plant managers and executives of public agencies partnering to improve the quality of the workforce.

The Board meets bi-monthly to discuss and provide solutions for regional workforce issues. The WIB considers a myriad of issues, such as, skills gaps, technology, wages, underemployment, education, apprenticeships and the like. Local boards provide information on what skills are in demand, what jobs are available, expanding careers, and the identification and development of programs that best meet local employer needs. The WIB partners with a number of non-profit agencies to provide seamless service for job seekers at regional One Stop Workforce Centers and with area youth providers in each county.

Overarching results of the Board's work are sustained economic growth, enhanced productivity and competitiveness, and reduced welfare dependency. Essentially the WIB seeks to use its knowledge of what skills are in demand, what jobs are available, and what career fields are expanding to provide a best fit for the employer and job seeker.