Tuesday, June 28, 2016

WIOA - Equipping Workers with Skills Matching the Needs of Employers

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. As an example of how this program works, consider this: The trucking industry is the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. Nearly 70% of all the freight tonnage moved in the U.S. goes on trucks. Without the industry and our truck drivers, the economy would come to a standstill. To move 9.2 billion tons of freight annually requires nearly 3 million heavy-duty Class 8 trucks and over 3 million truck drivers. However, the for-hire trucking industry is facing a current shortage of roughly 25,000 drivers! Enter Mr. Keywane China and Mr. Deondre Clark. Thanks to the WIOA program, these gentlemen recently completed commercial drivers training with Xtra Mile Trucking in Bishopville, SC and have obtained their CDL credentials. Mr. China has accepted employment with Comcar Trucking as a Dedicated Truck Driver and Mr. Clark was hired by McElroy Trucking as an over the road CDL Truck Driver.



We congratulate Kewayne and Deondre on their achievement and wish them all the best in the future. If you or someone you know would benefit from skills training through the WIOA program, please visit your local SC Works Center in Sumter at 31 E. Calhoun Street, in Camden at 1111 Broad Street or via the internet at www.scworks.org or www.santeelynchescog.org/workforce-development/