Working to Improve Education

In order to achieve the goal of increasing per capita income in South Carolina, businesses must have a highly-skilled, well educated population with plenty of job opportunities. Members of the business community and citizens are concerned that many students coming out of South Carolina public schools are not ready to meet the employment demands of an increasingly knowledge-based private sector.

Many elementary school children in South Carolina are not as proficient in math and reading skills when compared to their nationwide peers. Also, reducing the dropout rate and addressing adult literacy rates will further improve the quality of life for all citizens.

The South Carolina Chamber works closely with the business community and legislators to make sure our future workforce is getting the support and encouragement it needs. The Chamber supports:

• Full funding to support Personal Pathways to Success and related accountability measures including required new funding for the dropout prevention component
• Full funding for the development of

  

• SC technical college systems’ accelerated job readiness programs
  • Compete SC
  • QuickJobs Carolina
  • Retool Carolina (upgrading workforce training for existing business)
• Funding and implementing a statewide WorkKeys® initiative at educational institutions, including high schools, designed to ensure that students achieve the soft skills that business leaders say are key to a quality workforce;
• Expanding apprenticeships statewide
• Funding for allied health initiatives at educational institutions
• Expanding the piloted 4-K program statewide
• Developing a comprehensive long-term plan to address workforce development issues

For more information, contact Robbie Barnett at 800-799-4601