The 2017 Workforce & Jobs Report

2017 Issue South Carolina Chamber of Commerce 1301 Gervais St, Suite 1100 Columbia, SC 29201 803.799.4601 www. scchamber.net @scchamber facebook.com/scchamber

Workforce & Jobs Report is a publication of

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01

LETTERS

Chief Operating Officer Robbie Barnett

02

S.C. WORKFORCE: A SNAPSHOT

Vice President of Membership & Marketing Sunny Philips

04

THE 2017 HR & WORKFORCE AWARDS

Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy Mark Harmon

06

A GLIMPSE INTO S.C.’S TIRE INDUSTRY

08

UNION FREE S.C.

10

RESOURCE GUIDE

President & CEO Ted Pitts

Vice President of Education Cynthia Bennett Vice President of Finance Susan O’Neal Director of Public Policy & Research, Magazine Editor Kate Bondurant • Workforce & Jobs Report Published by Business Black Box For information on advertising, please call us at (803) 799-4601.

Copyright @2017 by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Business Black Box. A ll foreign and U.S. rights reser ved. Contents of this publication, including images, may not be reproduced without writ ten consent from the publisher. Published for South Carolina Chamber of Commerce by Business Black Box and ShowCase Publishing. 864/281-1323

Letters As I travel around the state and meet with business leaders and small business owners, I ask them all the same question: “What keeps you up at night?” They tend to share the same response: “having the workforce with the right skill set to get the job done.”

There is no silver bullet to address the workforce issues that South Carolina companies face. The solution lies in a multi-faceted approach and requires commitment and collaboration from everyone—job creators, the K-12 education system, technical colleges, 2- and 4-year institutions of higher education, research universities, the SC Department of Employment and Workforce, and the Department of Commerce.

Progress over the past year has shown that, here in South Carolina, business and government are working together to develop workforce solutions.

The General Assembly heard the business community’s call to action and has taken the first step needed to coordinate our state’s resources and institutions that are responsible for workforce development. The 2016 passage of H.4145 created the statewide Coordinating Council for Workforce Development and is a positive step towards a stronger and more efficient system of workforce development. The business community proudly appointed Mike Williams, Facility Personnel Manager at Michelin North America, to serve as its representative on the Council and looks forward to being a part of this united effort.

Last year, South Carolina became the first state in the nation to achieve 100 percent Work Ready certification, a process measuring the quality and skill of an individual county’s workforce. State and county leaders deserve a great deal of credit for this achievement; this program is yet another important tool in the workforce toolbox to help businesses grow, create jobs, and drive our economy.

Yet another important accomplishment of the past year is the Sector Strategies work led by SCDEW and the SC Department of Commerce. The Sector Strategies study identified Diversified Manufacturing, Business and IT services, Healthcare, Transportation, Logistics & Wholesale Trade, and Construction as areas where demand will exceed supply, which allows us to project workforce needs and to implement programs to prepare South Carolinians for these professions. Moving forward, we must now engage employers in these areas as we push to develop our regional talent pipelines.

In recent years, South Carolina’s business community has experienced a remarkable period of diversification and growth.

On the manufacturing front, Jushi, Volvo, Daimler Vans, and Giti Tire have announced plans to join companies like BMW, Boeing, Michelin and Continental in building large production facilities here, continuing the Palmetto State’s record of attracting billions of dollars annually in foreign direct investment.

South Carolina’s innovative entrepreneurial sector has also dramatically expanded, attracted by our healthy business climate and rich quality of life. And our “homegrown” industries—like healthcare and hospitality— continue to thrive. All of this activity has helped us anchor our economy in the dynamic technologies of the twenty-first century.

With this growth, however, comes the challenge of developing a highlyskilled workforce to sustain it. Fortunately, South Carolina has a head start in this effort. The State already boasts a complement of major research universities, a comprehensive technical college system, a successful apprenticeship program, and an expanding system of Career and Technology Education (CATE) in our high schools. But maintaining our enviable economic development record will require us to redouble our efforts to offer the training that our businesses demand and our citizens deserve.

This year’s Workforce and Jobs Report describes the challenges that we face, and the advances that we are making, in workforce development.

In particular, The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is working with our partners in the government and education communities to match the skills of our State’s workers with the needs of our State’s employers.

Ultimately, our goal is to help create a seamless pipeline from the classroom to the workplace, ensuring that our young people have the certified skills and credentials that they need to become successful.

Together, we will meet that goal, keeping South Carolina the best place in the nation to live, work and do business.

Stephen Cox, Attorney, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. Chair, South Carolina Chamber Education and Workforce Development Committee

As evidenced by its prominent place on our 2017 Competitiveness Agenda, workforce development continues to be a top priority for the business community moving forward. While major positive steps have been taken, we must continue to improve our state’s workforce development efforts during the 2017 legislative session. The business community supports the expansion of Career and Technology Education, growth of apprenticeship programs, extension of incentives to military retirees, integration of exoffenders into the workforce, and the reestablishment of the Education and Economic Development Coordinating Council as action items that are crucial to our businesses’ success, job creation and long-term economic stability.

I hope you find the Chamber’s 2017 Workforce & Jobs Report informative.

Here at the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce we are proud to represent the state’s business community and will continue to advocate for policies to make the Palmetto state’s workforce the most capable, efficient and effective in the nation.

Ted Pitts, President & CEO South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

Workforce & Jobs Report

1

Workforce Snapshot

S.C. IS READY TO WORK Bobby Hitt, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce

If you haven’t done your homework, you’re probably going to come in second. However, as we all know, Team South Carolina likes coming in first—and that’s just what we’ve been doing. Since 2011, we’ve recruited approximately 98,000 new jobs and nearly $27 billion in capital investment.

On top of that, we’ve built a reputation as a state that’s leading the way in advanced manufacturing. In a report released last month, South Carolina was one of only five states to receive an ‘A’ grade for the health of its manufacturing industry.

So, what’s the driving force behind all of this success? Our team works constantly to put South Carolina in a position to win.

From significant investments in our infrastructure, including the all-important Charleston Harbor deepening project and our ongoing workforce development efforts, we continue to lay the foundation for future prosperity. In fact, just this week, the Palmetto State became the first in the nation to have all of its counties certified Work Ready.

Moving forward, our team will keep doing its homework and preparing for success. And as a result, we’ll continue to make the grade in South Carolina, attracting industry and creating opportunities in all corners of our great state.

THE SC TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM: WORKING TO CLOSE SOUTH CAROLINA’S WORKFORCE GAP Susan Pretulak, Vice President of Economic Development

South Carolina is facing staggering workforce challenges brought about by an ever-increasing demand for high-skilled workers, an aging workforce fast approaching retirement and unprecedented economic development growth.

The majority of these jobs will require more than a high school education and less than a four-year degree making a technical college education more important than ever.

Spartanburg Community College

Greenville Technical College

These are good jobs for South Carolinians—indemand jobs that offer competitive wages and benefits, clear career paths and safe, secure working environments.

The SC Technical College System’s 16 colleges across the state are working each day to give South Carolinians the skills needed to fill these in-demand jobs.

Nearly a quarter million South Carolinians each year are educated and trained through the Technical College System.

In fact, the System educates more of South Carolina’s undergraduates than all the other public higher education institutions combined—57 percent of all South Carolinians enrolled as undergraduates in South Carolina’s public higher education attends one of our 16 colleges.

2

We educate and train South Carolinians to live and work in South Carolina—95 percent of our students are South Carolina citizens and the vast majority of our students choose to live and work here after completing their education. Last year, 88 percent of our graduates were placed in a job related to their education or they are continuing their studies and furthering their education.

Workforce & Jobs Report

York Technical College

Tri-County Technical College

Northeastern Technical College

Piedmont Technical College

Florence-Darlington Technical College Midlands Technical College Central Carolina Technical College

Aiken Technical College

95% of SC’s public higher education students are SC citizens.

Horry Georgetown Technical College Williamsburg Technical College

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Denmark Technical College Trident Technical College Technical College of the Lowcountry

Workforce Snapshot

SOUTH CAROLINA: A JOB SEEKER’S MARKET Cheryl Stanton, Executive Director, S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce

In South Carolina, job growth has been strong as new businesses put down roots and existing ones expand. The robust economic development the state is experiencing has led to historic employment and labor force levels during 2016, pushing the unemployment rate down to levels not seen since 2001.

In November 2016, more than 2.2 million people were working across the state as the unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent.

To ensure the state continues to see job growth, the Department of Employment and Workforce and the State Workforce Development Board have implemented several programs to create a workforce talent pipeline. Those programs include the Talent Pipeline Initiative and S.C. Work Ready Communities.

Both of these programs help align individuals to jobs based on skill levels and link workforce development to education within regions of the state.

Help Wanted Online

Labor Force

2016 South Carolina Data, Seasonally Adjusted

Employment and Unemployment data of SC residents

Workers & Wages within South Carolina

Number of people working at jobs within South Carolina and the total wages paid

YEAR

TOTAL EMPLOYED AT S.C. JOBS

TOTAL WAGES PAID

2015

1,949,749

$81.9 million

2014

1,894,753

$77.3 million

2013

1,846,949

$73.5 million

2012

1,810,110

$71.1 million

2011

1,780,654

$68.4 million

2010

1,756,932

$66 million

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, SC Dept of Employment & Workforce

Workforce & Jobs Report

3

Workforce Awards

Entrepreneur

HR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Sharon Sellers

President, SLS Consulting, LLC Greenville, South Carolina

Sharon Sellers, President of SLS Consulting, LLC, is this year’s winner of the Award for Professional Excellence in Human Resources Management, presented by Ogletree Deakins.

The award, a joint venture between the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Human Resource Management of the South Carolina State Council, recognizes creativity and a high standard of business that benefits not only the individual’s company but the business community at large.

4

Workforce & Jobs Report

“A strong human resources component is critical to any successful business organization and we were proud to honor those who excel in this field,” says State Chamber President Ted Pitts. “We look forward to Ms. Sellers continued contributions to South Carolina’s H.R. industry and we congratulate her on this award.”

Not only is Sellers an accomplished 30-year veteran of human resources, but she is an entrepreneur as well, founding SLS Consulting. Her expertise ranges across industries such as medical, manufacturing, government contracting and service industries, serving both local and international companies.

2017

Workforce Awards

WORKFORCE AWARDS The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce recognizes businesses that are leading the way in training our workforce. We are pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Workforce Innovator Awards to businesses which have taken ownership and utilized their own resources to develop the future workforce of our state. We honor small, medium, and large companies that have implemented their own unique, private-sector workforce development solutions.

Small Business Winner

Medium Business Winner

Large Business Winner

PPG Fiber Glass Products

Sonesta Resort

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

Chester, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Aiken, SC

For many years, PPG Fiber Glass Products— Chester Plant has been a role model for K12 and higher education support, not only in Chester County but throughout the region. Driven by the direct involvement of their senior management, the plant has provided financial support for countless robotics and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) projects in middle and high schools. They have also invested in local Junior Achievement entrepreneurship programs, in the purchase of new equipment for local career centers, and in the Summer Externships for Educators program that provides high school teachers the chance to work in industry during their summer break. The plant has not only supported the community financially but through many employee volunteer activities. They have arranged opportunities for both teachers and students to tour the facility, encouraged employees to volunteer their time in local schools, and helped develop employee mentoring partnerships with young people.

Sonesta Resort developed the School Incentive Partnership program to grow local talent. It started with Hilton Head High School and, based on the program’s success, it has been expanded to the other public schools across the island. The company recruits school students (age 16 and older), teachers, administrators, custodial staff, cafeteria attendants, school bus drivers, and Board of Education professionals into available part-time and full-time positions throughout the hotel. In addition to normal wages Sonesta agrees to donate $1.00 per employee for each hour they work to any school-sponsored academic club, activity, sport, or organization. For example, if a softball player at Hilton Head High School works parttime for a total of 250 hours Sonesta would donate $250.00 to the student’s selected school sponsored activity—i.e. High School Booster Club to be allocated to the softball team.

During the summer of 2016, for just one school, the company contributed over $2000.00. The program has proven to be a great recruiting tool for Sonesta with several graduates who are now attending local colleges still working for them.

For nearly a decade, children and young adults have benefited from SRNS education outreach programs, whose primary goal is to stress the importance of science, technology, engineering and math, through programs like the Traveling Science Demonstration Program, Introduce a Girl to Engineering and other various workshops, lectures and demonstrations.

The company also has programs based on learning through competition, including: the CSRA Science Fair; DOE Savannah River Regional Science Bowl; and the Future City Competition, and offers a “mini grant” program to provide financial assistance to area teachers to help implement their innovative ideas. During this past school year, grants for more than 150 teachers, totaling $75,000, were awarded. In addition, SRNS helped develop the curriculum for a new certificate program at Aiken Technical College that prepares students for entrylevel positions in the nuclear industry, supporting the program with a donation of $10,000 to help students offset the cost of enrollment.

Workforce & Jobs Report

5

TIRE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD April Allen, Director of State Government Affairs, Continental Tire the Americas

South Carolina’s tire industry continues to roll forward as the demand for the tires produced at the 12 tire facilities increases.

Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin, Trelleborg and soon Giti will all be producing tires for cars, light trucks, heavy duty trucks, as well as farm, mining and construction equipment.

Today there are few areas of South Carolina that aren’t impacted by the tire industry and the success it has enjoyed in our state.

In addition to the 12 manufacturing facilities, the Palmetto State is also home to two tire headquarters, a research facility, a test facility and multiple distribution operations. The direct job creation of the tire industry is complimented by the indirect job creation from the vendors and suppliers as well as tire dealers that support our operations.

It is gratifying as a South Carolinian to see businesses large and small that are benefitting from the success that our state has had in recruiting tire manufacturers. The BuySC program is active in the tire industry and helps us to find bakeries, florists, hardware stores, machine shops, janitorial companies, restaurants, engineering maintenance firms, transportation, construction and engineering firms to support our business. Each year the tire industry spends hundreds of millions of dollars with South Carolina businesses.

South Carolina is unique in many ways but particularly in the area of workforce development. Since the 1960s there has been a commitment to workforce education with the creation of the Technical College System. Today, ReadySC continues to train potential employees for manufactures. As the needs of industry changed, so did the tools used to provide a well trained workforce. Apprenticeship Carolina was created providing a supervised on the job training tool that allows transition to more advanced careers. The SC General Assembly continues to address our needs with funding of Work Ready Communities, the SC Manufacturing Certificate and Advanced Manufacturing High Schools. The Department of Education

6

Workforce & Jobs Report

has led the way in providing Work Keys assessments and supporting more experiential learning opportunities through dual enrollment that help students prepare for work, technical education or college. Our industry is also supported by the four years schools that are providing graduates in engineering and supply chain management as well as providing research to support our operations.

The responsibility of workforce readiness however does not lie solely on government. The tire industry also has a role in workforce development that is more than job creation. We must continue to find hands-on, non-traditional ways to introduce our industry to students in ways that excite and motivate their class choices and performance. This may seem like to many players on the field with the risk of uncoordinated efforts but in the last months at the direction of the General Assembly the state coordinating council for workforce development has been created to ensure the best utilization of resources and better information sharing. With Secretary Bobby Hitt as the chairman the council will always have the interests of SC’s existing industry and well as those new to the state at the center of the discussion. In the short period of time since the first meeting of the Council already communication and collaboration has improved and the council members seem excited about their future successes.

The South Carolina tire industry will continue to deliver jobs, investment and opportunities as long as we have the talent resources to support our operations. Our industry is constantly changing and advancing, and we need the partnership of South Carolina’s workforce development community as we progress.

The mission of the South Carolina Tire Manufacturers Council is to serve as the unified voice for the tire manufacturing industry in the state. Our industry has become one of the largest in South Carolina, representing enormous long term investments for our respective companies. The SCTMC was established to enable our companies to work proactively together to advocate for sound public policies that will impact our businesses and employees.

Michelin North America

Bridgestone Americas, Inc.

1975

1998

Greenville, South Carolina

Aiken, South Carolina

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC Fort Mill, South Carolina 2009

APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF TIRE EMPLOYEES:

APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF TIRE EMPLOYEES:

APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF TIRE EMPLOYEES:

22,650

55,500

10,500

1,800

5,500

3

1,500

in North and South America

16,208

in North and South America

in the United States

in the United States

in South Carolina

in South Carolina

Tire Locations in South Carolina

9,400 15

For more information visit,

michelinman.com

in South Carolina

2

Tire Locations in South Carolina

Tire Locations in South Carolina

Operating a total of 20 plants across 3 countries and employing well over 22,000 people, Michelin North America is leading the way in tire manufacturing in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Not only making tires for all types of vehicles, Michelin is constantly researching and innovating the industry by providing the highest quality products to move your forward in addition to providing them in a thoughtful, sustainable way.

in North and South America

For 150 years, Bridgestone has maintained a commitment to not only making great, innovative products, but to consumer safety as well. Bridgestone Americas’ footprint includes both North and South America with 50 locations spread across them and over 55,000 employees. While being an innovative maker of tires, Bridgestone is much more, with a wide range of building and industrial materials, natural rubber, industrial fibers and textiles.

For more information visit,

bridgestoneamericas.com

Based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Continental Tire the Americas, LLC manufactures and distributes a complete premium line of passenger, light truck and commercial tires for original equipment and replacement markets.

Our ultra-high, performance tires include award-winning technologies that focus on safety, help save money, and reduce CO2 emissions. Continental’s premium products are available at leading independent tire dealers, car dealers, and mass retail companies across North America. Continental Tire is a proud supporter of IMSA, Major League Soccer (MLS), College Basketball, Team är-kªn’, West Coast Customs, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, and Petty’s Garage.

For more information visit,

continentaltire.com

Workforce & Jobs Report

7

8

Workforce & Jobs Report

ORGANIZED LABOR’S AGENDA CONTINUES TO ADVANCE AND POSE CHALLENGES TO S.C. EMPLOYERS Stephen C. Mitchell, Partner, Fisher & Phillips LLP

South Carolina continues to enjoy the lowest union membership rate in the United States at 2.1%. Despite this positive perk for our state’s business climate, employers have faced significant challenges coming out of Washington DC that could make remaining union free more difficult. In 2015 and 2016, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) helped unions in their efforts to organize in three major ways: (1) enacting the quick election rules; (2) pushing forward the persuader rule; and, (3) issuing prolabor decisions at the NLRB. The following provides an update on each of these three issues.

(1) QUICK ELECTION RULES:

(3) NLRB DECISIONS:

Promulgated by the NLRB and implemented in April 2015, the quick election rules first and foremost impact union elections by significantly shrinking the time period between the day the union files a representation petition and the day that the election takes place from an average of 38 days to 24 days. The shorter time period provides a huge advantage to unions because employers do not have sufficient time to educate employees so they can make an informed decision.

The new rules also limit the scope of any pre-election challenges, which, under the old system, often postponed the election date. Finally, the rule requires employers to disclose a significant amount of personal employee information to the unions, allowing them access to almost all available contact information (including personal cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses). Since its implementation, elections are happening on average 14 days faster; union win rates are at 67%; and, the number of elections has increased almost 3% from 2015 to 2016.

Restricting Language in Employer Policies

(2) PERSUADER RULE: The Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA) requires labor relations consultants and their clients to file reports about certain arrangements made to directly persuade workers to reject unionization.

However, historically the statute has carved out mere advice from counsel when the client is free to accept or reject the advice and counsel does not communicate directly with the employees. The USDOL tried to change the rule, effective July 1, 2016, which would require employers to report any time a lawyer’s advice has a direct or indirect object of persuading employees - a change designed to chill an employer’s willingness to seek guidance navigating this complicated legal process, thereby helping unions organize.

Fortunately, a United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas blocked the rule in its entirety on June 27th, 2016. Nevertheless, the battle is not over as the USDOL has appealed the ruling to the 5th Circuit.

The NLRB continued to issue decisions making an impact on all companies, even if they never see a union. By expanding its concept of “protected concerted activity”, the Board significantly restricted the language employers can use in policies involving social media, off-duty access, internal investigations, class action waivers, electronic communications, solicitation and distribution, at-will, bans on recording or photography, restrictions on media disclosures, confidentiality, restrictions of use of logos, and even rules requiring respectful and courteous behavior. The legal repercussions for employers maintaining unlawful policies in this changing environment can be serious.

Joint Employer Issues The Board also issued two recent decisions creating a new broad standard for determining if two businesses are “joint employers.” As a result, among other things, employers must prepare for a union organizer to include its third party temporary employees into a single bargaining unit with the employer’s regular employees, without permission from both employers.

There is no question that the recent political climate has made it much more difficult to properly address and educate employees regarding union activity. Many believe the Trump administration will make changes that help employers. While this may be true, especially regarding the proposed changes to the Persuader Rule, employers should not expect changes to the quick election rules, and any changes to the Obama Board’s decisions will not take place anytime soon. Nonetheless, sophisticated employers can still take steps to prepare for potential organizing efforts. This requires employers to examine the makeup of their workforce, both full-time and temporary employees, and reassess the potential bargaining units available to union organizers. Employers will also need to prepare a plan in advance of union activity to ensure they are prepared to address it in light of the tighter time frame and rules. Finally, employers should keep in mind that none of these developments alter the fact that the best defense to any organizing effort is to avoid the perceived need for a union through open communications and positive employer relations. Based on the low union membership rate in South Carolina, it’s clear that our state has many employers who understand this important principle.

Workforce & Jobs Report

9

Resource Guide DIVERSITY COUNCIL Cynthia Walters, Corporate Director of Inclusion, Palmetto Health, Diversity Council Chairman

The mission of the South Carolina Diversity Council is to encourage, support and educate employers as they seek to value and strengthen diversity in the workplace.

S.C. CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Steve Nail, Dean, College of Business, Anderson University Chair, HR Committee With a State unemployment rate of only 4.4 percent, having a qualified ready workforce is of utmost importance to the continued growth of business and the average income of its workforce. Gov. Nikki Haley recently announced that every county in the State has received certification through the South Carolina Work Ready Communities (SCWRC) initiative, making South Carolina the first state in the nation to become fully certified as work ready. All 46 counties have met the specified workforce and education goals. This is a commendable achievement for South Carolina.

In early 2016, the business community successfully pushed for passage of H. 4145, which establishes a Workforce Development Coordinating Council (WDCC) to continuously assess statewide needs and recommend programmatic changes to improve outcomes in workforce development, prepare for emerging workforce needs and increase access to training and certification. The newly constituted council is made up of representatives from state agencies responsible for education, training and recruitment of industry, as wellas a representative of the business community designated by the SC Chamber.

The WDCC’s success in coordination of government, education and business workforce development efforts will be vital in closing the “middle-skilled” workers gap in the State. This gap is defined as those jobs requiring education and training beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. Such jobs account for 45 percent of all available jobs, while only 29 percent of available workers meet the middle-skilled hiring criteria. “Middle Skilled” jobs’ salaries are competitive, often ranging from $40,000 to over $100,000. While South Carolina has a lot to be proud of in the area of workforce development, there is still work to be done.

10

Workforce & Jobs Report

The Diversity Council achieves its goals by: • Educating members through structured, quarterly (or more frequent) meetings on topics related to diversity • Encouraging open and honest discussion among business leaders • Providing communication channels between key community and business organizations • Supporting membership as they seek to strengthen themselves through professional development in the area of diversity awareness and training • Providing high quality, dynamic, and responsive programs and services to businesses

MANUFACTURERS ARE GROWING, BUT CAN’T DO IT ALONE Dan Sanders,VP, General Counsel & Secretary, Michelin North America, Inc. Chair, Manufacturer’s Steering Committee The state of manufacturing is strong in South Carolina. The past year brought significant expansion of our state’s existing manufacturing base and the addition of several major new firms. Manufacturers continue to see South Carolina as a great place to do business given our fantastic port, accessible interstate system, wonderful climate, and dependable workforce.

Another major factor is our low unionization rate. In 2016, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that South Carolina is now the least unionized state in the nation, with only 2.1 percent of wage and salary workers belonging to a union. Not only is this rate significantly lower than the national average of 11.1 percent, we have now surpassed our neighboring states in this arena, further demonstrating South Carolina’s commitment to creating a positive climate for growth in the manufacturing sector.

This manufacturing growth, coupled with the retirement of baby boomers, has created the need to strengthen the state’s talent pipeline. The Manufacturers’ Steering Committee remains committed to closing the skills gap through technical and vocational training, apprenticeship opportunities, and incentives for the cultivation of high-demand skills. Crucial to this endeavor is the statewide coordination of workforce development efforts, and the business community applauds the 2016 passage of H. 4145, which created the Workforce Development Coordinating Council.

Moving forward, the Manufacturers’ Steering Committee looks forward to continuing to assess and advocate for policies to develop a strong in-state talent pool, promote manufacturing opportunities, and keep our state an outstanding place to do business.

12%

OF SOUTH CAROLINIANS ARE EMPLOYED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR

*Info courtesty of South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance

Resource Guide 2025 EDUCATION / WORKFORCE GOALS South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Committee

Guiding Principle: South Carolina businesses report their number one issue is a sustainable, highly educated workforce of technicians, engineers, sales professionals, managers and entrepreneurs. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce seeks to advocate for the necessary changes and improvements to ensure a capable, productive, and sustainable workforce. To that end the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Committee will work to help our state achieve the following goals by 2025.

The Education and Economic Development Act will be fully implemented across all school districts.

10% yearly increase in Technical College issued certificates and credentials in areas that support SC’s workforce sector strategies.

All SC public K-12 schools will utilize a learning model that has competency progression, focused personalized learning and is technology based.

SC will exceed the national average for awarding 2 and 4 college degrees in disciplines that support SC’s workforce sector strategies.

90% of all SC high school students will graduate on-time as measured by the US Dept. of Education’s Uniform Graduation Rate formula.

Double the number of businesses supporting WorkKeys and registered as Work Ready Communities supporters.

All SC parents will have access to quality early childhood development programs that include a strong focus on brain development prenatal to age three.

Apprenticeship will continue growing at a yearly rate of 10 %.

10% yearly increase in the number of students completing a Career and Technology Education (CATE) Program of Study leading to a specialized stackable credential of value.

Businesses participating in the Youth Apprenticeship Initiative will by increase 10% each year and will be in all 46 counties.

Workforce & Jobs Report

11

Resource Guide

2016 S. C. BUSINESS WEEK AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce the winners of its annual college scholarships during last year’s South Carolina Business Week, July 24-29, 2016. Each year, Business Week offers bright young adults the unique opportunity to interact with business leaders along with their peers on the historic Presbyterian College campus in Clinton to learn more about the ins and outs of a successful career. This year, 185 students successfully graduated from the program.

Approximately half of the students apply for the college scholarships. A handful are then selected for interviews. Among the 2016 scholarship winners is a future University of South Carolina Gamecock and several who are excited about their senior year of high school.

MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOLARSHIP The Mechanical Contractors Association of SC Scholarships were awarded to Anna Claire Pitts for $2,500, a rising sophomore at Clinton High School and Anna Pitney for $2,500 dollars, a rising senior at Greenville High School. This award, now in its third year, may be used at any South Carolina college or university of choice.

Thank you to the individuals, corporations and associations who make these scholarships possible each year.

We would also like to congratulate the 2016 Business Week Student CEOs. These students were selected amongst their peers to lead their company to victory.

2016 BUSINESS WEEK STUDENT CEOS COMPANY

Business Week 2016 Scholarship Winners: CHELSE WARD ELLIOTT SCHOLARSHIP Amari Young was awarded the Chelse Ward Elliott Scholarship for $2,000. She is a rising senior at Clover High School and was also the CEO of her Business Week Company. This scholarship is presented in memory of Chelse Ward Elliott, wife of longtime Business Week company advisor Tony Elliott.

S. HUNTER HOWARD JR. SCHOLARSHIP Dajuan McDonald won the S. Hunter Howard, Jr. Scholarship for $5,000. He is a 2016 graduate of Crestwood High School in Sumter.

He will attend USC in the fall of 2016. This award recognizes a Business Week student who consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership abilities and was introduced in 2008 in honor of S. Hunter Howard Jr., retired president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

RON MCNAIR LEADERSHIP AWARD Sierra Stewart was awarded the Ron McNair Leadership Award for $5,000. She is a rising senior at Berkeley High, she too was the CEO of her Business Week Company. This scholarship, contributed by SCE&G, was established in memory of Lake City native and astronaut Ron McNair. The award recognizes a Business Week student who consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership abilities.

12

Workforce & Jobs Report

STUDENT

SCHOOL

A

Vignesh Rajmohan

JL Mann High

B

Sierra Stewart

Berkley High

C

Kennedy Corley

Lee Central High

D

James Cheng

Academic Magnet High

E

Tyrell Rowell

Marion High

F

Marcus McLeod

Crestwood High

G

Amari Young

Clover High

H

Lauren Lynn

Blue Ridge High

I

Catelyn Henry

Mauldin High School

J

Zack Heustess

Lexington High

K

Brendon Beach

Colleton County High

L

Kiana Hopkins

Hillcrest High

M

Rebecca Brockman

Byrnes High

N

Kiah Morris

Barnwell High

O

Peyton Elmore

James F Barnes High

P

Mary Elizabeth Bundrick

DW Daniel High

Companies interested in learning more about student sponsorships or scholarships for Business Week students should visit www.scbusinessweek.com, or contact Sherry Prioleau at 803-255-2626.

GET 1 GIG.

RIGHT HERE. RIGHT NOW. Google Fiber has blown into Charlotte with the promise that they are ready to get buildings “up to speed” with 1 Gig Internet service. For thousands of Comporium customers, Google wasn’t fast enough.

FIFTEEN LOCAL OFFICE PARKS CAN ALREADY GET ZIPSTREAM GIGABIT INTERNET.

Blistering-fast connections that are up to 100 times faster than the average Internet connection

30,000 homes in the area can already get Zipstream Gigabit Internet

Amazing reductions in time needed for medical imaging, website/software development and other companies to transmit very large data files

Call Comporium and find out more about how Zipstream is fast-tracking the Carolinas’ future.

www.comporium.com | 866-889-2667

The Right Tools to DEW Business!

Evo lve

Ent App erprise Zon Sm ren Wo all B ticesh e Act: rk usin ip C red Op e i po ss H eal t rtu t hC nit yT are ax Cre dit eg ApR prenistered tice ship Cu st m Trao Re ininized g cr SC u W or itin ks g A On lin ssi e S sta nc er vi ce e s

Work-Ready Veterans

ties

ni mmu

dy Co rk Rea

SC Wo

New Hire Databas e

Business Tax Credits

SC

T Assrainin ista g nce

Trans Assis itional tance

G Orienroup Reem tation p Servlioyment ce TAA s

Assessments

With help from the South Carolina workforce system, SC Works Centers, and the SC Department of Employment and Workforce, you can be sure that no matter what happens, your company and your employees will benefit from our knowledge, experience, and resources. Whether you need assistance with recruitment, training, and transitions or need information on the current business tax credits available. We are here to help you: See it, Own it, Work it DEW it!

www.dew.sc.gov SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE