DEW Announces Statewide Events in Recognition of September’s Workforce Development Month

Jobseekers can benefit from more than 200 job fairs and workshops, as well as other exciting events.

Columbia, S.C. - The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) is proud to celebrate Workforce Development Month in September. During the month, DEW and SC Works partners will promote numerous events for jobseekers and employers through job fairs, open house events, workshops, conferences, and more.

“South Carolina’s workforce is the backbone of the state’s economy. This month will highlight the abundant opportunities provided by our agency and partner agencies, to enhance the state and local job markets, increase participation in the labor force, and provide jobs that lead to economic independence for our workers in the state,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director Dan Ellzey.

There are more than 200 job fairs and workshops, dozens of visits by the Career Coach and the Be Pro Be Proud mobile workshop, discussion forums and roundtables, and weekly labor market information webinars. These events are virtual and in-person, some are statewide, while others are developed specifically for local areas. There are also events personalized for businesses, veterans, rural communities, jobseekers with barriers, and much more. For more specifics and to track activities for the month, please see the attached information sheet.

“South Carolina’s economy is one of the strongest in the nation because of the hardworking people who make up our workforce,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “We have consistently invested in smart, targeted solutions to make sure South Carolinians are trained and ready to do the jobs that are available in our great state, but there’s always more work to be done. That’s why Workforce Development Month is so important – it gives us the opportunity to show our people the opportunities available to them and to focus on new, innovative ideas to build on our prosperity.”  

Governor McMaster, in partnership with DEW, will hold a press conference at the Michelin manufacturing
plant in Lexington, South Carolina on Wednesday, September 7, at 11:00 AM to deliver his proclamation
declaring September as Workforce Development Month in South Carolina.

Members of the press are encouraged to attend. Additional information regarding the press conference will be shared in an upcoming media advisory.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MONTH ACTIVITIES

DEW has launched two Workforce Development Month pages for jobseekers to keep track of all events: www.dew.sc.gov/wdm and www.scworks.org/wdm. An interactive state map is available for jobseekers to find job fairs and workshops near them by simply clicking on their local area on the map to be led to its event calendar. These web pages will be updated daily throughout September and will feature information on upcoming press conferences, webinars, and featured employers of the week. 

A weekly Labor Market Information (LMI) webinar series known as LMI Insights will be hosted by Dr. Bryan Grady and the DEW Labor Market Information team every Wednesday at 2 PM in September. These webinars are available to the public and go over a variety of employment, unemployment, and economic data. For more information and to register to attend these webinars, please click here.

DEW will also release a notice of funding opportunity during the month of September with award amounts of up to $25,000 for faith-based and community organizations to apply to set up Connection Points at their locations, which connect the public with free access to computers and DEW resources for unemployment insurance claimants and general jobseekers.

Follow the agency’s social media platforms for daily Workforce Development Month facts, quotes, events, and updates:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scdepartmentofemploymentandworkforce

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scdew_info

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCDEWinfo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sc-dept.-of-workforce-and-employment/

Use #scwdm to be part of the conversation!

September is buzzing with activity and DEW welcomes the media to be part of the conversation. Want to speak with a DEW representative about the labor market, workforce development, employer services, and more? Members of the press can submit a request in our Workforce Development Month Media Interview Form to schedule an interview with a subject matter expert throughout the month of September. Media inquiries, interview requests, and additional opportunities can also be directly sent to communications@dew.sc.gov.