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The South Carolina Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) was formed in response to a general need for improved coordination of workforce development efforts. The General Assembly established the CCWD in Act 252 of 2016 to “engage in discussions, collaboration, and information-sharing concerning the state’s ability to prepare and train workers to meet current and future workforce needs.”
Through Act 194 of 2022, the CCWD was merged with the Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) Coordinating Council, expanding the membership composition of the CCWD as well as adding responsibilities that include oversight of the Education and Economic Development Act.
Act 67 of 2023 further expanded the role of the CCWD to achieve and sustain South Carolina’s workforce potential through collaboration and coordination. This new era of the CCWD will better align and enhance South Carolina’s education and workforce system so that it is readily accessible, highly effective, and easily understandable.
- Legislation
Act 67 of 2023, “The Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act," was filed by Speaker Murrell Smith and expanded the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development to include additional public and private workforce development stakeholders, identified specific ways to optimize our state’s workforce, and designated DEW’s Executive Director as its chair.
The Act aims to eliminate duplication, improve efficiencies, and achieve a more coordinated effort in our workforce and education pipeline. The legislation is designed to maximize the opportunity for citizens by meeting the immediate and future needs of specialized industry workforce demands of South Carolina businesses.
The Act is available to read in full here.
- Members
- Unified State Plan
The South Carolina Coordinating Council for Workforce Development has published the inaugural Unified State Plan for Education and Workforce Development. The Unified State Plan provides a systematic approach to streamline the state’s workforce development efforts, identify common goals, and improve efficiencies. The Unified State Plan is available to read in full here.
History
In January 2023, South Carolina Speaker of the House Murrell Smith introduced legislation, which became the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act, to streamline workforce activity in South Carolina. One of the top priorities identified by the Act was to get agencies that support education and workforce development as part of their mission to agree on an actionable plan that would serve as the common framework for each organization’s individual initiatives and expertise.
The Coordinating Council for Workforce Development has collaborated to create the Unified State Plan over the past year. Meetings to develop the plan began in July 2023 and continued over time to identify key issues, create an initial outline, and determine metrics, all while obtaining feedback from a multitude of stakeholders throughout the process.
These efforts resulted in the Coordinating Council identifying three primary focus areas to address in the Unified State Plan: awareness, skills, and obstacles. Each focus area includes clearly defined goals, strategies, and metrics that will serve as measures of progress. In addition, the plan identifies Priority Occupations and high-value credentials that reflect demand from the state’s booming private sector.
Next Steps
Now that the initial plan exists, the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development will review and revise it as needed on an annual basis. The Coordinating Council’s Metrics Baseline Committee will spend the next year compiling applicable data to develop baselines for the metrics and recommendations for target values.
- Meetings
This section will feature upcoming CCWD meetings as they are announced.
Coordinating Council for Workforce Development Full Council Meeting
Monday, June 23, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join In Person:
Harper Auditorium
631 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29201
Meeting ID: 246 364 343 633
Passcode: BwAn8p
Click here to view the agenda.
Click here to view upcoming FY24-FY26 meeting dates
- Reports
Unified State Plan
CCWD Annual Reports
Research Reports
- 2023 Employment Outcomes for South Carolina Post-Secondary Graduates
- 2017 Employment Outcomes for South Carolina Post-Secondary Graduates
Reports from CCWD Entities
- SC Education Funding Dashboard FY 2021-22
- S.C. Education and Workforce Report 2022
- Required by SC Code of Laws §59-18-1950, the report includes information on a) the number of students graduating from public high schools in the state who enter postsecondary education without the need for remediation; b) the number of working-age adults in South Carolina by county who possess a postsecondary degree or industry credential; and c) the number of high school graduates who are gainfully employed in the State within five and ten years of graduating from high school.
- School Finance, Student Count, and Workforce-Related Data and Projections
- 2021 SC READY Proficiency by Per Pupil Expenditures Dashboard
- Individual School and School District Report Cards 2018-Present
- Individual School and School District Report Cards 2008-2017
- Priority Occupations
Priority Occupations are identified based on current demand, projected growth, viability, and retention. These jobs are in high demand and forecasted to become essential, thriving careers with untapped potential. See the full list of Priority Occupations categorized by Career Clusters below. Learn more about some of these occupations by viewing job flyers available on our Explore SC@Work page here.
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Animal Caretakers
- Pest Control Workers
- Architecture & Construction
- Civil Engineers
- Construction Managers
- First-line supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Electricians
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Construction Laborers
- Millwrights
- Carpenters
- Cost Estimators
- Mechanical Door Repairers
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
- First-line supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
- Highway Maintenance Workers
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Crane and Tower Operators
- Roofers
- Pile Driver Operators
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
- Graphic Designers
- Photographers
- Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
- Business Management & Administration
- Management Analysts
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other
- Human Resources Specialists
- Training and Development Specialists
- First-line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Postal Service Mail Carriers
- Postal Service Clerks
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- Education &Training
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other
- Self-Enrichment Teachers
- Finance
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Accountants and Auditors
- Insurance Sales Agents
- Loan Officers
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Insurance Underwriters
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
- Government & Public Administration
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Transportation Inspectors
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
- Health Science
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physical Therapists
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Veterinarians
- Occupational Therapists
- Dentists, General
- Registered Nurses
- Physicians, All Other
- Dental Hygienists
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
- Pharmacists
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Medical Records Specialists
- Physical Therapist Assistants
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Medical Assistants
- Dental Assistants
- Phlebotomists
- Home Health Aides
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
- Opticians, Dispensing
- Nursing Assistants
- Hearing Aid Specialists
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- Food Service Managers
- Lodging Managers
- First-line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
- First-line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Cooks, Restaurant
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
- Recreation Workers
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Bakers
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Human Services
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Social and Human Service Assistants
- Personal Service Managers, All Other
- Personal Care Aides
- Massage Therapists
- Clergy
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Community Health Workers
- Information Technology
- Software Developers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Web Developers
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Computer Network Support Specialists
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
- Lawyers
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Police and Sheriffs Patrol Officers
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- First-line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Correctional Officers and Jailers
- First-line Supervisors of Security Workers
- Private Detectives and Investigators
- Firefighters
- First-line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other
- Manufacturing
- First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- First-line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Machinists
- Production Workers, All Other
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- Marketing
- Sales Managers
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
- Real Estate Sales Agents
- Driver/Sales Workers
- First-line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- Real Estate Brokers
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Industrial Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Logisticians
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Light Truck Drivers
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
- First-line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Cargo and Freight Agents
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
- Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Office of Statewide Workforce Development (OSWD)
The Office of Statewide Workforce Development (OSWD) resides within DEW and is responsible for implementing the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act initiatives under the direction of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD). On April 16, the SC Senate confirmed Governor Henry McMaster’s appointment of Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant as the first director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development (OSWD).
The OSWD was created within DEW by the General Assembly under Act 67 of 2023 – the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act – to coordinate, align, and direct workforce efforts throughout the state under the direction of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD).
An example of the OSWD in action is the ongoing development of the Central Education and Workforce Portal.
In its current iteration, you may know it as the Find Your Future South Carolina website (findyourfuture.sc.gov). However, this resource hub represents early phases of what will be a multi-year project to develop the full-fledged portal, which Dr. Battle-Bryant will oversee as OSWD Director.
- Find Your Future
FindYourFuture.sc.gov is a virtual platform created by the CCWD that launched in February 2025. This website connects South Carolinians with information that guides them on their education and job journey, as well as provide employers, educators, and workforce development partners across the state with quick links to the breadth of resources available to them. Importantly, this first iteration was created to get direct feedback from users to help continuously improve and grow the platform.