Horry County receives Work Ready certification

Gov. Nikki Haley announced today that Horry County has received certification through the South Carolina Work Ready Communities (SCWRC) initiative. The county joins the 41 other counties that have met the specified workforce and education goals.

South Carolina leads the nation with the most certified work ready communities, and continues to attract international business development due to its commitment to economic growth and a robust workforce pipeline.

“With Horry County receiving certification we are only four counties away from reaching our goal of being the first state in the nation to be fully certified, and that is a reason to celebrate,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “Team South Carolina is working hard to making sure we have the most competitive business environment in the world for companies looking for a place to call home.”

“The Work Ready Communities initiative is providing employers with a skilled workforce, which allows more people to work every month. Companies are deciding that South Carolina is a great place to do business, and as a result more South Carolinians are working than any time in our states history,” said Cheryl M. Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

“Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) and the business community of our region are bridging the gap between skill development and unemployment to advance job opportunities for citizens along the S.C. Coast,” said H. Neyle Wilson, president of Horry Georgetown Technical College. “The Work Ready Communities program instills confidence in job applicants and assures employers that applicants have necessary skills to enhance profitability. We are proud of the leadership Provost Greg Mitchell has provided to help our area earn this essential certification, and HGTC will continue to provide training opportunities for generations to come.”

The South Carolina Work Ready Community initiative provides a framework to strengthen economic development using a community-based approach, grounded in certifying counties as work ready.

To become a South Carolina Work Ready Community, a county must reach or exceed goals in earning National Career Readiness Certificates (achieved through WorkKeys® testing), must meet or exceed the three-year graduation rate average or improvement percentage, and must engage business support.

A map of South Carolina’s 42 certified counties is available here.

For additional information, visit www.scworkready.org.

About SCDEW

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce 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. SCDEW 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.