The Upper Savannah Workforce Development Board (WDB) serves as a vital bridge between employers and job seekers across Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, and Saluda counties.

Our dedicated volunteer board of directors ensures that the local workforce development system is responsive, market-driven, and aligned with the employment and training needs of businesses and job seekers. In collaboration with local service providers, the board administers the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 to enhance workforce readiness and economic growth.

Through the SC Works System, the Upper Savannah WDB supports comprehensive service locations where job seekers and employers can access a wide range of employment and training resources. This integrated approach helps individuals achieve career success while meeting the talent needs of local industries.

The Upper Savannah WDB is one of 12 Workforce Development Area Boards in South Carolina, collectively representing the state’s 46 counties and working together to build a stronger workforce for the

How to Get Appointed

The Upper Savannah Workforce Development Board By-Laws outline Membership Criteria under Article II, Membership in accordance with the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) enacted in 2014 (Public Law 113-128, Section 107 (b)).

Membership

• Appointment: Membership of the Board shall be made in compliance with Section 107(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. All vacancies or succeeding appointments will be made in a like manner.
• Number: The total membership of the Board shall be twenty (20). It is provided that each county has a minimum of two Board members.
• The table below shows appointments to be made by At large appointments will be for agencies which serve all Upper Savannah counties and include an official from: the SC Department of Employment and Workforce, Piedmont Technical College, and the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department. At large appointments may be made by the county in which the representative resides or a county which is represented by the agency.

Abbeville County	2
Edgefield County	2
Greenwood County	3
Laurens County	3
McCormick County	2
Newberry County	3
Saluda County	2
At Large	3
Total	20

Process of Filling Board Seats: Upper Savannah Council of Governments & Workforce Development will determine what seats are due to expire or vacant. It will solicit nominations for the private sector from business-led organizations such as chambers of commerce or economic development boards. Nominations are submitted to county councils for their

Term of Appointment: All appointments shall be for a term of three Each vacancy will be filled to complete the unexpired term. Term lengths shall be calculated as of July 1 of each year regardless of the date of appointment.

Categories of Membership:

1. • Private Sector: Not less than 51% of the membership at all times will represent the private sector as defined in the Act. These members will be at the time of their appointment, owners of business concerns, chief operating officers or non- governmental employers, or other private sector executives who have substantial management, hiring and policy responsibility.
   • General Sector: Representatives of educational agencies, organized labor, rehabilitation agencies, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, governing bodies, and organizations deemed appropriate as defined in the Act.

If you would like more information about joining the board, contact Upper Savannah Workforce Director, Kal Kunkel at (864) 941-8074, or via email (kkunkel@uppersavannah.com).

The Board’s Function

The Board’s main function is to serve as a point of contact for business, industry, and labor to communicate their workforce needs. Service on the Board also includes the following:

• Provide a forum where private and public sector leaders jointly consider workforce development needs of the region;
• Promote strategies to encourage life-long learning to improve workplace skills;
• Assist in the development of new training programs to benefit the region’s workforce ;
• Conduct planning, oversight, and evaluation of local workforce development programs, including the local One Stop Career Center System;
• Offer advice regarding workforce policy and programs to local elected officials, employers, education and employment agencies and citizens;
• Coordinate with the economic development efforts and activities to promote the region’s availability of qualified workers and promotes cooperation and coordination among public organization, education agencies and private businesses;
• Review local agency plans and grant applications for workforce development programs to ensure coordination of services and achievement of local goals can be attained.

Workforce Development Board Member Nomination Solicitation

Upper Savannah Council of Governments and the Workforce Development Board are currently soliciting applications to fill seats in the following counties. Nominations will be vetted by the Workforce Development Board Staff and submitted to the respective County Council for their consideration and approval.

Applications for the open seats are being accepted through February 28, 2025, at 4pm (EST).

• Laurens County – Private Sector Seat
• Newberry County – Private Sector Seat
• Saluda County – Private Sector Seat