College Receives Top State Award for Wellness Program

Aiken Technical College (Aiken Tech) has received the overall 2022 PEBA Partners Award from the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (SC PEBA). It is the second consecutive year the College has received the top award for its wellness program.

“PEBA Partners is an award program that honors employers that demonstrate a dedication to promoting a physically, emotionally, and financially healthier workplace. Through the College’s wellness program, we are able to create a supportive environment for a wide range of wellness initiatives and activities,” said Aiken Tech Human Resources Specialist Aimee Schwartz, who leads the College’s wellness program initiatives with support from fellow human resources staff. “We aspire to encourage all employees to make their personal wellness and health a top priority.”

The College’s wellness program is developed based on employees' input and interests gathered through surveys and follow-up event assessments.

Workshops held over the past year include Mental Health First Aid and Substance Abuse Awareness training sessions and live webinars on managing stress, mental fitness, and investing in your future. Activities also included Teams of Two challenges and distributing wellness tips paired with relevant items such as stress relief kits, jump ropes, meal portion plates, and more.

Incorporating such activities provides support for employees interested in adopting and maintaining healthy behaviors, said Aiken Tech Vice President of Human Resources Sylvia Byrd.

“The wellness program aims to assist employees in achieving all of their physical, social, and emotional needs,” said Byrd. “In turn, employees are more engaged, and morale is increased. We encourage employees to participate in creating a culture that prioritizes health, flexibility, mental health, and work-life integration.”