The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

DEW offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, and will reopen on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Please note that unemployment payments may be delayed due to your financial institution's holiday schedule. 

South Carolina businesses, are you actively working with young people to amplify the workforce? If yes, we invite you to nominate your business for the 2026 Workforce Champion Award by visiting www.dew.sc.gov/workforce-champion-award!

Visit https://dew.sc.gov/scwork-photo-contest to submit a photo of employees at work and enter for a chance to be selected as the 2026 SC@Work Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner! Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your team in action.

Statement on May 2017 unemployment rate

Fri, 06/16/2017

DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton’s Statement

May 2017 Employment Statement

 

“I am encouraged to see the commitment businesses are making to South Carolina. They trust that we can provide them with skilled workers as they create jobs by expanding or opening new facilities in the state. This commitment has contributed to reducing the state’s unemployment rate to a level we have not experienced since December 2000,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “We have more work to do matching those seeking work with the nearly 63,000 jobs available across the state.”

 

About DEW

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency invests in building a pipeline of quality workers, matches workers with jobs, and is a bridge for individuals who find themselves out of work for no fault of their own. This promotes financial stability and economic prosperity for employers, individuals and communities. DEW is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services that meet the needs of the state’s businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.