Seven Additional South Carolina Counties Certified as Work Ready

Seven counties were recognized today for achieving certification through the South
Carolina Work Ready Communities (SCWRC) initiative. The counties are:  Barnwell, Chesterfield,
Darlington, Dillon, Lee, Lexington, and Marion.

Gov. Nikki Haley announced that more than half of South Carolina’s counties are now certified as work
ready, continuing to outpace the nation in an initiative that showcases the skilled workforce that
businesses require in a competitive economy.

“We are well on our way to becoming the nation’s first certified work ready state, and that is a huge
reason to celebrate in every part of South Carolina,” Gov. Haley said. “This is a perfect example of Team
South Carolina coming together to prove how committed we are to training a highly skilled workforce
that is capable of meeting every need a company in our state may have.”

The seven newly certified counties have met all needed workforce and education goals, demonstrating
to businesses a strong local workforce and commitment to economic growth. The Palmetto State now
has 29 counties with this designation, which is more than any other state in the nation.

“Seven more counties gaining certification illustrates just how committed South Carolina is to
developing a world-class workforce,” said Cheryl M. Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department
of Employment and Workforce. “We have seen record employment highs in our state over the past year,
and with more than half of South Carolina’s counties now certified as work ready communities, this will
further pave the way to filling those open jobs with qualified workers.”

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

The latest work ready counties join the ranks of 22 others that have been certified since the initiative
began in 2013. Find a map of certified counties here.

For additional information, visit www.scworkready.org.