TalentRiseSC: Free Career Training & Upskilling in Greenville, SC

Greenville Chamber

Technical training programs are a cornerstone of the Greenville area’s workforce development efforts, helping create a reliable pipeline of workers whose skills match the needs of the city’s rapidly evolving economy. That’s why, in 2023, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce launched TalentRiseSC, a program that connects job seekers to practical training, career coaching and employer-aligned pathways that lead to stable, well-paying work.

By focusing on skills that local industries need, the program helps participants earn relevant credentials, build confidence through hands-on learning and transition more quickly into in-demand roles.

Ask, and You Shall Receive

“We have a goal to increase educational attainment in the Upstate to 60% by the year 2030. When the chamber looked at how to help reach that goal, we found a major issue wasn’t a lack of opportunities. Instead, it was that people simply didn’t know what was available to them,” says Benedicte Axboe, TalentRiseSC director for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

“That’s why TalentRise was created. We want to close the talent gap by connecting chamber investor employees, as well as anyone in the community with a high school diploma or GED who hasn’t earned a bachelor’s degree yet, to education options through neutral navigation services.”

Individuals can visit the program’s website to complete an intake form and request an appointment with a career navigator, but they can also get connected by phone, email or text. The goal is to remove barriers and make it easy for people to take that first step toward their career goals. The program also connects trainees with financial assistance.

“One of the most underutilized sources of financial assistance is employer-sponsored education benefits. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement or other forms of support, whether it’s paying for classes, helping cover textbook costs or providing assistance with technology expenses,” Axboe says. “What many people don’t realize is that a number of education and training programs in South Carolina are fully funded through state scholarships, making it possible to earn valuable credentials with little to no out-of-pocket cost.”

Photo Credit: Minet Zahirovic, Drazen_

Upskilling the Upstate

The program works with several local companies to upskill current employees, improving productivity and retention while reducing the cost and disruption of vacancies. Axboe met with employees of New Horizon Family Health Services, for example, to bring awareness to the program. Since then, “we’ve had numerous employees contact us about programs, from Medical Interpreting to BSN,” Axboe says.

“One of the things I am most passionate about in Human Resources is helping employees create opportunities for themselves and their families through education and career growth,” says Crystal Linsenbigler, director of Human Resources for New Horizon Family Health Services. “TalentRiseSC has helped make that possible for many individuals by reducing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent them from pursuing additional training, certifications or degrees. For many employees, the program is not just about gaining new skills; it is about building confidence, achieving personal goals and creating pathways to positions they may not have thought were attainable. It allows hardworking individuals to continue investing in themselves while balancing careers, families and other responsibilities.”

Started From the Bottom

Lisenbigler says New Horizon Family Health Services strongly believes in promoting from within whenever possible. TalentRiseSC supports that philosophy by helping employees develop the knowledge and skills needed to advance into new roles and take on greater responsibilities within the organization.

“Rather than always looking externally for talent, programs like this allow us to cultivate future leaders from our existing workforce. Employees see that we are willing to invest in their growth, which strengthens engagement, retention and organizational loyalty. It also serves as a valuable recruitment tool because candidates are increasingly seeking employers who support professional development and lifelong learning,” Lisenbigler says.

“Programs like TalentRiseSC are beneficial because they create opportunities for individuals while helping employers meet workforce needs. When employees can access education and training, they are better prepared to fill critical roles, advance their careers, and contribute to their organizations and communities.”

Photo Credit: Petri Oeschger, SDI Productions

When I Grow Up

As just one example of the Greenville region’s investment in workforce development, plans are underway to reimagine Greenville County Schools’ J. Harley Bonds Career Center with a facility designed specifically for modern career and technical education (CTE). Originally built in the 1950s as a traditional high school, the building has served students well for decades, even as district leaders expanded programming to meet evolving workforce needs.

Contemporary CTE programs, however, often require specialized labs, equipment and flexible learning environments that can be hard to accommodate in a traditional high school. With growing demand for career-focused training at the Bonds Career Center, as well as increased activity at the Donaldson Career Center, district leaders saw an opportunity to build a new space that better supports hands-on learning and positions students for success in high-demand industries.

“Whenever we design career centers and instructional spaces, we focus on two priorities,” says Eric Williams, assistant superintendent for secondary schools and career centers, Greenville County Schools. “First, we want them to be industry-specific and aligned with industry standards, both in terms of the learning environment and the equipment students use. Our goal is for students to walk into a classroom or lab and experience something that feels very similar to what they will encounter in a real business or industry setting.”

A prime example is the mechatronics program, which combines mechanical, electrical and computer systems training. While the current classroom and lab have been adapted over the years to support the program, the space remains limited by the design of a building constructed in the 1950s. The new career center, scheduled to open in 2030, will feature labs and equipment that better reflect modern manufacturing environments, giving students a more authentic hands-on experience.

Local industry partners play a key role in shaping Greenville County Schools’ CTE programs. Each CTE pathway is guided by an advisory council made up of local employers and industry professionals who provide input on everything from curriculum to equipment needs. As plans move forward for the new career center, district leaders are working closely with these partners to ensure classrooms and labs reflect current workplace standards.

“Whether it’s robotics, CNC machines or welding equipment, we want our students training on tools that reflect what’s being used in the field today,” Williams says. “The goal is to create spaces that resemble the facilities students may one day encounter at major employers, such as BMW, Michelin or ZF Transmissions. That will help them make a seamless transition from the classroom to the workforce.”