The South Carolina Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) has released the second edition of the Unified State Plan for Education and Workforce Development.
The Unified State Plan serves as a roadmap to aligning education and workforce initiatives in South Carolina to create more pathways to opportunity.
In 2024, the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development released its first Unified State Plan for Education and Workforce Development, a significant milestone established through the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act. This act, introduced by South Carolina Speaker of the House Murrell Smith, received overwhelming support from the House, Senate, and Governor Henry McMaster.
“The inaugural Unified State Plan was the first step in transforming the workforce development efforts in South Carolina. It outlined a collective approach to maximizing opportunities for the people of our state through education and training,” said House Speaker Murrell Smith. “Investing in our workforce is an investment in our future. The efforts outlined in the second edition of this plan show that we continue to recognize the importance of that investment in our state’s booming economy by providing more pathways to upward economic mobility for our students, jobseekers, and working families.”
Since then, the CCWD has focused on improving accountability and enhancing workforce development efforts to better meet industry needs.
"As chairman of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development, I witness firsthand the power of collaboration as council members, as well as our valued education, nonprofit, business, and government partners, develop and implement a “roadmap” for workforce development in our state," said South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director William Floyd. “The Unified State Plan is a living document that reflects the common direction and related progress as we collectively build a stronger foundation for our current and future workforce.”
The second edition of the CCWD’s Unified State Plan has been enhanced with South Carolina-specific case studies and targeted projects. The Council's three main goals are: 1) increasing awareness of education and workforce development resources, 2) building skills to meet growing industry demands, and 3) overcoming barriers to employment. In addition, the plan provides more details on the committees established by the CCWD, the creation of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development (OSWD) within the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), and the various platforms and resources that have been published.
“South Carolina’s strength lies in its workforce, and the updated Unified State Plan serves as our blueprint to unlock that potential. Every state resource is focused on building skills, opening doors to top-tier careers, and removing the barriers that hold our workforce back,” said OSWD Director, Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant. “There has never been a more exciting time to see the level of collaboration that exists with our partners. This plan is our North Star for building a stronger workforce, one South Carolinian at a time.”
As the CCWD works on the projects required in the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act, its steadfast commitment to the goals and strategies outlined in the Unified State Plan will help every South Carolinian find their future in SC while fostering economic growth and stability.
To read the second edition of the Unified State Plan and keep up with the activities of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development, please visit findyourfuture.sc.gov.
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