What TRBO Advance Is and How It Works in South Carolina

TRBO Advance is a workforce development program run by South Carolina's Department of Employment and Workforce

TRBO Advance stands for "Training, Retraining, Business Opportunities Advance." It is a state-funded program that helps South Carolina workers gain new skills, start businesses, or move into better-paying jobs. The program covers tuition and training costs for courses at community colleges, technical schools, and other approved providers across the state.

The program is designed for workers who are unemployed, underemployed, or at risk of losing their jobs. TRBO Advance pays for classroom instruction, online courses, and hands-on training in fields where South Carolina has job openings—including healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and skilled trades. Participants can also receive support for books, supplies, and sometimes transportation or childcare costs while they train.

Key Takeaways

• TRBO Advance covers tuition and training costs at community colleges and technical schools for workers seeking new skills or career changes.
• The program targets fields with real job openings in South Carolina, such as healthcare, manufacturing, IT, and skilled trades.
• You must be unemployed, underemployed, or facing job loss to be considered, and you work with a career counselor to choose a training path.
• Training programs range from short certificates (a few weeks) to longer diplomas (two years), depending on the career you pursue.
• Contact your local workforce development board or the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce to learn about programs in your area.

Who can participate in TRBO Advance

TRBO Advance is open to South Carolina residents who are out of work, working part-time and seeking full-time employment, or employed but at risk of layoff. You do not need a high school diploma or GED to start, though some training programs have their own entry requirements. The program prioritizes workers in industries facing labor shortages and those whose current jobs do not pay enough to support their families.

Priority is often given to workers displaced by plant closures, military veterans, and people receiving unemployment benefits. However, the specific rules vary by local workforce development board, so the best way to know whether you fit the program's focus is to contact your local board directly. They can review your situation and discuss which training paths make sense for your skills and job market in your area.

What training programs are available

TRBO Advance covers training in dozens of occupations. Common programs include nursing and healthcare support, welding and metal fabrication, electrical work, HVAC installation and repair, information technology certifications, commercial truck driving, and advanced manufacturing. Many programs are offered at South Carolina's 16 technical colleges, which have campuses throughout the state, as well as at community colleges and other approved training providers.

Programs range from short-term certificates that take a few weeks to complete, to diploma programs lasting one or two years. Some training is classroom-based, some is hands-on in a lab or shop, and many programs combine both. Your career counselor will help you choose a program that matches the jobs available in your area and your own skills and interests.

How to find your local workforce development board

South Carolina is divided into workforce regions, each with its own local workforce development board. These boards manage TRBO Advance funding and connect workers with training programs. To find your board, visit the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce website and search for your county. You can also call 1-866-352-4847, the state's workforce hotline, and ask for the board serving your area.

Once you contact your local board, a career counselor will meet with you to discuss your work history, skills, and job goals. Together, you will identify training programs that match both your interests and the jobs that are actually hiring in your region. The counselor can also tell you whether funding is currently available for the program you want to pursue, since some programs fill up and have waiting lists.

What TRBO Advance covers and what it does not

TRBO Advance pays tuition and fees for approved training programs. It also covers the cost of textbooks, supplies, and materials needed for your courses. Depending on your situation and your local board's resources, the program may also help with transportation costs, childcare while you are in class, or a small stipend to help with living expenses during training.

TRBO Advance does not cover room and board, and it does not pay you a salary while you train. It also does not cover training at four-year universities—only at community colleges, technical colleges, and other approved providers offering certificates and diplomas. If you need help with housing or other living costs while you train, your career counselor can point you toward other programs that might help.

The training process and timeline

Once you are accepted into TRBO Advance, you will sign an agreement outlining your training plan, the program you will attend, and what you are expected to accomplish. You then enroll in your chosen program and begin classes. Your career counselor stays in touch throughout your training to make sure you are on track and to help if problems come up.

Short-term certificate programs can be completed in as little as four to twelve weeks. Diploma programs typically take one to two years. Some programs offer evening or weekend classes so you can keep working while you train. After you finish, many programs help you find a job in your field, and some employers in high-demand areas work directly with training providers to hire graduates.

How TRBO Advance fits into South Carolina's workforce strategy

TRBO Advance is part of South Carolina's effort to fill jobs that employers cannot find workers for and to help workers move into careers that pay better than their current jobs. The state focuses funding on fields where there are real openings—healthcare, manufacturing, construction trades, and technology—rather than on training for jobs that are disappearing or already have too many workers.

The program also supports South Carolina's economic development goals. When manufacturers, hospitals, and other large employers know they can find trained workers, they are more likely to open facilities or expand in the state. By training workers in the skills those employers need, TRBO Advance helps both individual workers and the state's economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay back the money TRBO Advance spends on my training?

No. TRBO Advance is a grant program, not a loan. You do not repay the cost of your training. However, some programs may require you to work in South Carolina for a certain period after you finish, or they may ask you to stay in touch so they can track whether you found a job in your field.

What happens if I do not finish the training program?

If you drop out before completing your program, you may owe back some or all of the money TRBO Advance paid on your behalf. The exact rules depend on your local board and the reason you left. Talk to your career counselor right away if you are struggling in your program—they may be able to help you stay on track or adjust your plan.

Can I do TRBO Advance training while I am still working?

Yes. Many programs offer evening, weekend, or online classes specifically for working people. Your career counselor can help you find programs with schedules that fit your current job. Some employers also offer tuition support or flexible schedules for workers in TRBO Advance programs.

What if there is no training program in my field near where I live?

Some TRBO Advance programs offer online or hybrid classes that you can take from home. If the training you need is only available far away, your local board may be able to help with travel costs or connect you with distance learning options. Talk to your career counselor about what is available in your region.

How do I know if a job I want to train for will actually have openings when I finish?

Your career counselor has labor market data showing which jobs are hiring in your area and what the pay is. TRBO Advance focuses on fields with real openings, not on training for jobs that may disappear. Before you commit to a program, ask your counselor about job growth in that field and what employers in your region are hiring for.