SC Works Connection Points Helping Job Seekers in USCOG Rural Counties

SC Works locations in Abbeville, Edgefield, McCormick, and Saluda counties have transitioned to a new service delivery model utilizing community-based Connection Points, partner locations, and the SC Works Mobile Career Coach.

This transition allows workforce resources to remain available throughout the Upper Savannah Workforce Development Region of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties while maximizing investments in direct customer services and workforce training opportunities.

Greenwood County SC Works at 929 Phoenix Street in Greenwood operates Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed daily from noon to 1 p.m.) as the Region’s comprehensive center.

Laurens County SC Works has moved to 291 Professional Park Rd, Clinton, co-located at the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. It is an affiliate center operating Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed daily from noon to 1 p.m.). Services will begin there Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Newberry County SC Works is located at 1840 Wilson Road, Newberry, operating 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed daily from noon to 1 p.m.) Monday through Thursday. Its location is in the plaza adjacent to Piedmont Technical College’s Newberry campus.

The Greenwood, Laurens and Newberry centers are staffed daily by knowledgeable workforce professionals who provide personalized employment and training services, including job search assistance, resume development, career counseling, workshops and career exploration, training opportunities, employer recruitment services, and access to workforce programs and partner resources.

The transition directly affects the lesser populated counties in the Region. But USCOG Workforce Development Director Kal Kunkel stressed that services will still be available.

“While the physical SC Works Centers in Abbeville, Edgefield, McCormick, and Saluda counties have closed, job seekers in those counties will continue to have access to the same workforce services,” he said.

“Our staff will remain available through scheduled appointments, virtual services, outreach events, and partner locations, and customers can also receive in-person assistance at our comprehensive SC Works Centers. Our goal is to ensure that no one loses access to employment, training, or career services because of these facility changes,” he said.

“Closing these Centers was a difficult decision, but it was the right one to strengthen the overall SC Works system. Customer traffic at several of these locations had declined significantly, while operating costs continued to increase.

“By consolidating resources, we can invest more in direct services, technology, outreach, and employer engagement rather than maintaining underutilized facilities.

“This approach allows us to provide a more sustainable, efficient, and responsive workforce system that better serves both job seekers and businesses across the entire seven-county Upper Savannah region,” Kunkel said.

Connection Points are not staffed by SC Works personnel but provide free public access to computers, internet, and workforce resources to help job seekers search for employment, create resumes, submit applications, and connect with SC Works services.

Connection Points are located at the following:

Abbeville County
Abbeville County Library – Main Branch
Abbeville County Library – Agnew Branch (Donalds)
Abbeville County Library – Calhoun Falls Branch
Abbeville Adult Education

Edgefield County
Edgefield County Public Library – Main Branch
Aiken County Library – Johnston Branch (Mobley Library)
Tompkins Memorial Library & Welcome Center

Greenwood County
Greenwood Public Library – Main Branch
Ninety Six Branch Library
Ware Shoals Community Library
Goodwill Job Connection

Laurens County
Laurens County Library – Main Branch
Clinton Public Library
Goodwill Job Connection
United Way of Laurens County

McCormick County
McCormick County Library
Paul Dennis Community Center
John de la Howe
McCormick County Visitors Center
Hotel Keturah

Newberry County
Hal Kohn Memorial Library – Main Branch
Whitmire Memorial Library
Goodwill Job Connection

Saluda County
Saluda County Library – Main Branch
Ridge Spring Branch Library