Employment and Workforce Executive Director William Floyd’s Statement

April 2023 Employment Situation

Columbia, S.C. – “April was another great month in South Carolina. The number of people working increased to a record amount of 2,330,701, and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.1% from March’s rate of 3.2%,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director William Floyd. “The state’s labor force grew by 13,206 individuals, increasing our labor force participation rate to 56.3% from March’s rate of 56.1%.”

“South Carolina’s workforce is a priority for Governor McMaster and the General Assembly,” continued Floyd. “Having been appointed by the Governor and recently confirmed by the Senate, it is a privilege to be part of the team helping South Carolina’s workforce and employers.”

“Even with the positive growth and outlook in the state, more work remains to be done,” said Floyd. “For example, this month DEW launched a new initiative, SC@Work: Road Trips, focused on connecting rural communities with job opportunities. To supplement the local work centers, the agency hosted special job fairs within six communities, connecting jobseekers, employers, and local partners in the Pee Dee. There will be three more SC@Work: Road Trips to rural counties this year, with the next series occurring in July. Look for more details for those in the coming weeks.”

“It is a perfect time to find great work in South Carolina. As always, DEW and SC Works are ready to help jobseekers with employment and career plans and help employers find workers,” concluded Floyd.