retrainSC workforce retraining credits
retrainSC helps existing South Carolina companies offset eligible training costs as they upgrade employee skills, adopt new technologies and respond to changing business needs.
Administered by the South Carolina Technical College System, the program provides qualifying companies with a payroll tax withholding rebate of up to $1,000 per eligible employee each year for approved retraining expenses.
Overview
retrainSC is designed for existing South Carolina industries that need to continually develop their workforce to remain competitive.
As companies introduce new equipment, technologies and processes, retrainSC can help offset the cost of preparing existing employees for those changes. The program can also support broader upskilling, management development and recertification needs.
Unlike readySC, which primarily supports workforce recruitment and training for new and expanding operations, retrainSC focuses on developing employees already working within an existing South Carolina operation.
Eligibility
Eligible companies generally include those engaged in:
- Manufacturing
- Processing
- Warehousing and distribution
- Technology-intensive operations
To qualify, a company must:
- Be located in South Carolina
- Provide health insurance and cover at least 50% of the premium for full-time employees
- Provide approved retraining to eligible full-time employees who have been continuously employed by the company for at least one year
Eligible employees generally include production, technology or warehousing and distribution first-line employees and their immediate supervisors.
Credit details
Qualifying companies may receive reimbursement of up to $1,000 per eligible employee annually for approved retraining expenses.
The maximum reimbursement is $5,000 per employee over five years. Companies are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for the employee withholding funds used for training.
Companies participating in the Job Development Credit program may also be able to include qualifying employees who are part of the company’s base employment. However, a company cannot claim Job Development Credits and retraining credits for the same employee.
Qualifying training
retrainSC can support training that helps a company adapt, improve productivity and maintain competitiveness.
Qualifying training may address areas such as:
- New processes
- New equipment
- New technologies
- Employee upskilling
- Management development
- Recertification
- Lean manufacturing and operational improvement
Training must be approved and coordinated through the South Carolina Technical College System. A technical college may deliver the training directly or work with another training provider to achieve the approved training outcomes.
How to participate
Companies interested in retrainSC should work with the South Carolina Technical College System to determine whether the company, employees and proposed training qualify.
The Technical College System coordinates approval of the retraining program and works with the company and appropriate technical college to establish eligible training activities and costs.
An annual $250 renewal fee is required for companies collecting retraining funds.
Investing in the workforce you already have
For existing South Carolina companies, workforce development does not end when employees are hired.
retrainSC gives companies another tool for responding to technological change, introducing new processes and equipment, and helping experienced employees develop the skills an evolving operation requires.
Learn more about retrainSC
Explore retrainSC eligibility, qualifying training and program requirements through the South Carolina Technical College System.
