2018 Workforce & Jobs Report by South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Workforce & Jobs Report is a publication of

President & CEO Ted Pitts Chief Operating Officer Robbie Barnett Vice President of Membership & Marketing Sunny Philips Vice President of Education & Workforce Cynthia Bennett

LETTERS

S.C. WORKFORCE: A SNAPSHOT

BEYOND DREAMLINERS

STATE WAGE DATA

S.C. SHRM STATE COUNCIL

LABOR UPDATES

Vice President of Finance Susan O’Neal Associate Vice President of Communications & Public Policy, Magazine Editor Kate Bondurant Associate Vice President, Administrative Services & Board Secretary Caroline Donaldson — Workforce & Jobs Report Published by The Brand Leader For information on advertising, please call us at (803) 799-4601.

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Copyright @2018 by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and The Brand Leader. All foreign and U.S. rights reserved. Contents of this publication, including images, may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. Published for South Carolina Chamber of Commerce by The Brand Leader.

Letters

A LETTER FROM JACK SANDERS South Carolina has seen a renaissance of sorts during the past several years when it comes to economic development and job creation. Over the past year alone, companies significantly investing in South Carolina have included Volvo, Samsung and Nephron Pharmaceuticals, just to name a few. Though each of these companies are different, they all have one common bond: they rely on a capable, skilled and dependable workforce. Sonoco has called South Carolina home since our inception in 1899. Today, we are a global company with more than 330 locations and 20,000 employees, and we require a significant number of qualified associates to succeed. But, like many of you, finding a skilled workforce is one of our most significant challenges. In South Carolina, we have some excellent opportunities on which we must capitalize. First, our state boasts one of the strongest technical college systems in the nation. We must continue to foster, support and develop that system. Clear pathways from high school to technical college are critical for many of our students as they provide an often seamless transition to a well-paying job. The stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apprenticeship program is also vital to filling our workforce pipeline. Apprenticeship Carolina recently celebrated 10 years, and today supports more than 900 programs. We just implemented a robust apprenticeship program at Sonoco, and I believe it will prove to be an important tool in filling specific positions for the long term. Change is all around us. And while we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily control marketplace changes or the pace of change, we can control our actions to address the challenges and opportunities we face as a state. Certainly, workforce development is one of them.

Jack Sanders CEO, Sonoco Chair, SC Chamber of Commerce

Workforce & Jobs Report

Letters

A LETTER FROM TED PITTS If you ask business owners and CEOs from across the state what keeps them up at night, you’ll get one answer: “workforce.” From the Lowcountry to the Upstate, urban and rural, small businesses or large corporations, business owners all say the same thing “I need dependable people with the right skills if we are going to maintain or grow our operations.” In the Palmetto State, the SC Department of Employment and Workforce says there will be roughly 180,000 new jobs created across the state over the next 10 years, and that these new jobs require specific skill sets and training. In addition to job growth, employers must replace baby boomers — who have been a key piece to the workforce puzzle — as they retire. Over 25 percent of South Carolina workers are expected to retire over the next 10 years. For these reasons, workforce is the top issue on business leaders’ minds and why the state Chamber has chosen Workforce Development as the top priority on this year’s Competitiveness Agenda. The private sector is not waiting on government to solve their workforce needs, but we do need our state’s policy makers to help us by expanding proven programs including apprenticeship opportunities, CATE work in the K-12 system, full exemption of military retirement benefits to draw military personnel embarking on a second career to our state, ex-offender workforce reentry programs, and solutions to the prescription drug and opioid crisis. I hope you find the information in this year’s Workforce & Jobs Report of value. In this year’s edition, we are excited to include a new SCDEW State Wage Data feature in response to requests by our members. We are looking forward to making 2018 a great year for South Carolina’s business community, and we appreciate your partnership as we advocate for policies to make South Carolina the best place to live, work and do business.

Ted Pitts President & CEO, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

Workforce & Jobs Report

Workforce Snapshot THE TRANSFORMATION OF SC’S BUSINESS ECONOMY By Bobby Hitt, Secretary, South Carolina Department of Commerce

World-famous boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. once said, “A true champion can adapt to anything.” Reflecting the necessity to evolve in an ever-changing environment, this quote certainly rings true for Team South Carolina. Over the years, we’ve built a strong track record as a state that can transform and remain competitive, despite a shifting global economic landscape.

will be imperative. We also must continue to listen to our existing industries and further bridge the gap between our education and business communities. By fostering an environment that promotes dialogue between our educators and industry leaders, we’ll be able to ensure that students are being adequately prepared for the jobs of the future. And, as a result, the State of South Carolina will prosper for years to come.

Twenty-five years ago, South Carolina was a three-T state, and our economy centered around textiles, tobacco and tourism. Today, we’ve got a much more diverse, globally-connected economy. In fact, a nation-leading seven percent of our workforce is employed by foreignbased firms that operate within our borders, and that number is only expected to increase moving forward, as foreign-based companies have accounted for more than 60 percent of capital investment recruited to South Carolina since 2011. In addition to this expanding international footprint, we’ve also seen an influx of high-tech jobs come into the state. As a leader in advanced manufacturing, it’s only natural that innovation and significant research and development operations complement manufacturing growth. In 2016 alone, South Carolina had the 11th highest tech employment growth rate in the nation. Clearly, this is a much different South Carolina than existed several decades ago. So how did we successfully transform as a state? And, what do we need to do to build on this momentum and accommodate diversifying industry workforce needs? The answer to both questions is pretty simple—collaborate. From the S.C. Technical College System and its initiatives, such as readySC™ and Apprenticeship Carolina™, to local school districts and private sector partners, many members of Team South Carolina have played an important role in developing a workforce that meets the needs of industry today. Twenty-five years ago, we had very few automotive workers in the Palmetto State. Now, there are tens of thousands of South Carolinians working for automotive-related companies within our borders. That happened because of Team South Carolina. As we move forward and seek to maintain our status as an ideal destination for business, continued collaboration and teamwork

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11th

Workforce Snapshot TURNING WORKFORCE CHALLENGES INTO INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES By Elisabeth Kovacs, Deputy Director of Workforce Development, South Carolina Department of Commerce

When life presents a challenge, it can be viewed as either a problem that impedes or an opportunity for improvement. The economic development success that South Carolina has seen over the last seven years has been prolific, and as announced facilities and jobs become tangible, the challenge of filling these new positions comes into focus. Without a doubt, workforce development poses the greatest challenge to the advancement of South Carolina’s economic development future. South Carolina maintains a portfolio of resources and partners that work tirelessly to target resources to meet companies’ unique needs. Yet even with their exemplary efforts, we must strive to no longer simply patch holes, but to pave the road in front of us. The new normal of workforce development must be less reactionary and more proactive. As South Carolina’s economic development success has moved the state to full employment, it creates an immediate need for a “pull” system that prepares individuals and affects existing education and workforce development programs. The South Carolina Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) was formed in response to this pressing need for improved coordination of efforts in the area of workforce development by those state agencies involved in the education and training of the South Carolina workforce. Charged with finding holistic improvements by developing and implementing procedures for information sharing and coordinating, the CCWD conducts an ongoing inventory of existing workforce programs and developing a method for identifying and addressing long-term workforce needs. The CCWD’s potential is limited only by the number of partners who give voice to the concerns of our state. In order to provide a forum for all voices, two advisory groups were established to give comment and guidance to recommendations made to and from the CCWD. The Strategic Partners group, made of state agencies and organizations, provides guidance to maintain a commitment to a diverse and successfully-trained workforce. The Business Advisory group, representatives from small to large businesses and associations from across the state, provides the crucial voice of our employers, and the ever-necessary reminder that we educate so that our citizens can create their own future with secure, quality employment.

As South Carolina’s economic development system has moved the state to full employment, it creates an immediate need for a “pull” system that prepares individuals and affects existing education and workforce development programs.

In the short existence of the CCWD, there has already been great success bringing together our state’s different agencies and business partners to find common ground. In order to ensure evidence-based decision making, the initial recommendations of the CCWD are to create a statewide longitudinal data system to identify the workforce footprint of all of our citizens within our educational systems. Another recommendation is to capture occupational codes from businesses in South Carolina, to identify the true occupations within our businesses that cross all industry sectors. This will better align career clusters within the K-12 system. Turning every challenge faced into an opportunity is the mentality that has created South Carolina’s status as 21st century manufacturing destination, and that same effort will create the 21st century workforce South Carolina must provide.

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Workforce Snapshot SC TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM: WORKING TO MEET SOUTH CAROLINA’S WORKFORCE NEEDS By Dr. Tim Hardee, System President, South Carolina Technical College System

In recent years, South Carolina has seen unprecedented economic development growth. The state continues to attract investment from around the world leading the Southeast in manufacturing job growth. Today, the state manufactures more than 400,000 BMWs each year, produces 12 Boeing Dreamliners each month and companies like Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental and Giti Tire make approximately 100,000 tires per day. In addition, new projects continue to be announced, and each new announcement brings with it the expectation of a highly-skilled, ready workforce. The SC Technical College System is charged with developing the pipeline of skilled workers to fill these new jobs, and is continuously exploring proactive ways to successfully meet workforce needs. Current initiatives include:

ImadeitSC.com Campaign An outreach campaign that addresses common misconceptions related to manufacturing, healthcare, IT and other STEM-related fields. Many South Carolinians have long-held beliefs about careers in these industries that are outdated and often untrue. In fact, there are more jobs than skilled people in these careers. This campaign is designed to promote these occupations as great jobs with great futures, competitive wages and opportunities for advancement. The campaign centers around the ImadeitSC.com website. Clever radio spots support the message by addressing many of the stereotypes and misconceptions associated with these occupations and direct listeners to the website. In addition, each of the System’s 16 colleges hosts a summer Guidance Counselor Outreach program, designed to build awareness and change perceptions surrounding these viable career options among this crucial group.

Targeted Dual Enrollment Dual enrollment allows high school students to enroll in college courses for credit before high school graduation, often receiving both high school and college credit for the same course. These programs

Workforce & Jobs Report

introduce students to the rigors of college work and enhance future student success. The System’s 16 colleges provide approximately 95 percent of all dual enrollment programs in South Carolina.

Youth Apprenticeship A forward-focused component of the System’s Apprenticeship Carolina program that allows high school apprentices to earn a wage while they learn new skills and enhance their employability. This program has grown from five participating companies in 2012 to nearly 200 today.

Pilot Promise Program A new pilot program at Williamsburg Technical College intended to increase college attendance and completion by alleviating the financial burdens associated with college. In its first semester, this program increased the number of incoming local-area high school graduates from 13 percent to 30 percent. The System is currently exploring ways to expand this program across the state.

Guaranteed Transfer Agreements Through coordinated admission among the majority of South Carolina’s four-year institutions, the System is working to increase the state’s degree attainment. These agreements are designed to streamline the transfer process and move technical college graduates into a junior standing seamlessly.

Ongoing Statewide Programs ReadySC continues to train nearly 4,000 South Carolinians each year, building the initial workforce for economic development projects across the state. Apprenticeship Carolina celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and hit a major milestone with over 28,000 total apprentices and more than 1,000 companies participating.

Workforce Snapshot COLLABORATION IS VITAL TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT By Cheryl Stanton, Executive Director, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

With the state’s unemployment rate at historic lows, developing a talent pipeline for South Carolina businesses is the key to future success. During the last two years, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) and the State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) have focused on developing a workforce supply chain for the state’s businesses to meet their future needs by partnering with businesses, the S.C. Department of Commerce, S.C. Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the S.C. Technical College System. Last year, the emphasis was on identifying the key industries in each of the state’s four geographic regions for the Sector Strategies initiative. This year, the regions have started implementing some strategies to start developing skilled workers for those identified industries.

Upon release, the ex-offenders receive a folder which includes a federal bonding letter as well as information for businesses about potential tax credits available when hiring a returning citizen for which the employer could be eligible. Of the people who have gone through the program and have been released, 68 percent have found employment. Another partnership example is the Back to Work program which helps the homeless find work. The six-week, boot-camp style initiative is intended to help individuals develop skills in interviewing, resume writing, conflict resolution and more. Each person is assigned a job coach who mentors them with the goal of obtaining employment and self-sufficiency. This program was launched in Columbia through a partnership with Transitions homeless center. Last year, it was expanded to Greenville where the agency partnered with the Phoenix Center. A third program is planned to launch in Lancaster County in the coming months. Seventy percent of the individuals who have successfully completed the program found work.

One example is in the Pee Dee Region, where healthcare was identified as a key industry. McCloud Health—with facilities in Cheraw, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Little River and Loris—was in need of health care employees. With funding from SWDB, McCloud Health is developing an on-the-job training program as a step to solve staffing needs in the high-demand healthcare field. While assessing the regions for Sector Strategies, the team realized that another major barrier to employment for many people was transportation. In response, SWDB recently awarded five $100,000 grants to implement or expand existing public transportation to give people more direct access to work and job training sites.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OCT. 2009-2017 14

2,300,000 2,234,600

2,196,147

2,200,000

2,153,131

To effectively build a talent pipeline, the agency is also partnering with organizations across the state to help other populations of individuals with barriers to employment achieve gainful employment.

The agency has partnered with the S.C. Department of Corrections (SCDC) to develop the Second Chance program, which helps nonviolent ex-offenders find jobs. DEW provides a full-time employee at each of two Corrections facilities to coach and assist returning citizens including crafting a resume, registering in the SC Works system, and developing work-skills needed to find employment such as applying for jobs online once they are released.

2,097,319

2,100,000

2,041,391 1,997,666

2,000,000

1,956,158 1,925,039 1,897,187

1,900,000 1,800,000

2 0 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Employment

2014

2015

2016

2017

1,700,000

Unemployment Rate

Workforce & Jobs Report

Boeing works to prepare South Carolina students for careers in advanced manufacturing and technology By Rob Gross, Boeing South Carolina Communications

Boeing has maintained a significant presence in South Carolina since first landing in the Palmetto State in 2010. Understandably, most South Carolinians picture the 787 Dreamliner when they think about Boeing’s North Charleston facilities. The 787 remains the cornerstone of Boeing’s South Carolina operations, but in recent years the business has expanded to include projects and programs across The Boeing Company. Boeing has taken a lead role in advancing the conversation around careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and advanced manufacturing, and helping ensure that today’s South Carolina students are prepared to embark on those careers tomorrow. Boeing, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Commerce, achieved a milestone two years in the making in October 2017 when it visited the last of South Carolina’s 46 counties. The

outreach, known as Boeing Days, gives students, educators, elected officials, and business and community leaders from across the state the opportunity to connect with Boeing representatives. Boeing representatives engaged with nearly 21,000 students and more than 3,600 leaders of these many communities as part of Boeing Days. More than 85 elementary, middle and high schools in South Carolina were visited as part of this effort. Company representatives shared with students the exciting realities of careers in high-technology, advanced manufacturing fields, and participated in extensive dialogue with those leaders on what needs to be done to make sure students are ready to step into those jobs. South Carolina’s advanced manufacturing sector is one of the fastest growing in the U.S., and our state will need a full pipeline of qualified job candidates with the skills to fill those needs.

Engine nacelle inlets, designed and manufactured at Propulsion South Carolina, are installed on the new 737 MAX and delivered to airplane customers all over the world. (Boeing photo)

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Industry Snapshot “With the help of companies like Boeing, South Carolina has emerged as a global leader in the advanced manufacturing industry. In fact, since 2011, we’ve experienced manufacturing employment growth of more than 17 percent within our borders,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “To ensure continued economic success, it’s critical that we introduce and prepare our future workforce for the career opportunities available to them.” Just off of Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston are two examples of that growing sector. The Boeing Research & Technology South Carolina (BR&T-SC) Tech Center, a 104,000 square-foot research facility which opened in 2015, focuses on assembly and automation; production analytics and advanced test systems; composite fabrication, materials, and repair; inspection and nondestructive evaluation; chemical technology; electromagnetic effects; and modeling and characterization. BR&T-SC is leading Boeing’s research and development in composites, robotics, and other advanced manufacturing technologies. “As an industry we face many challenges in defining the future of aerospace. We must find new technologies that enable us to design, build and test the next generation of innovation,” said Lane Ballard, Vice President of Materials and Manufacturing Technology. “The research and technology being generated here allows close collaboration and alignment between BR&T and Boeing South Carolina, but also supports Boeing teams and products all across our company.” BR&T-SC’s scope of work includes projects that will shape the future of airplane manufacturing. Researchers are transforming the way airplane decorative finishes are applied from current practices, such as masking and painting, to ink printing and other technologies of the future. The team is utilizing a comprehensive approach that intersects automation, printing, and ink chemical technologies to create an airline’s intricate and detailed brand imagery in a more efficient and more durable manner. Boeing scientists are also taking the lessons learned in composites manufacturing at Boeing South Carolina to shape next-generation composite technologies, designing and fabricating composite structures in order to accelerate and demonstrate new technologies. The team is also leading in aerospace automation development and application. Adaptable, affordable automation hardware and programming being developed at BR&T-SC will improve worker safety, product quality and production efficiency. Propulsion South Carolina (PSC), located little more than a stone’s throw from BR&T-SC, designs and assembles intricate engine components for several airplane programs. The team of engineers, manufacturing and support personnel at the 225,000 square-foot facility design and assemble the engine nacelle inlets for the 737 MAX. The team also has design responsibility for the 737 MAX nacelle fan cowl, and the design and engineering integration of the 777X nacelle.

Boeing is implementing automation and robotics, including the 787 Dreamliner aftbody fuselage Quadbots pictured here, at its facility in North Charleston, S.C. (Boeing photo)

Recently, PSC has taken on engineering responsibility for the 787 nacelle and added a nacelle repair capability to support Boeing airline customers’ needs in the aftermarket. “The work we’re performing at Propulsion South Carolina will help drive our ability to meet production rates, and production readiness milestones, on two extremely important Boeing Commercial Airplanes programs,” said Charlie Hix, Director of Propulsion South Carolina. “The Boeing Company and our valued airplane customers are counting on us to deliver, and we’re meeting the challenge. This team is doing amazing work in support of these programs.” This work is taking place against the backdrop of the growing statewide need to prepare students for careers in these fields that are the future of South Carolina’s economy. Boeing will continue to be a key contributor in this dialogue and has already begun its second round of Boeing Days outreach visits. “Community engagement isn’t a ‘check-the-box’ activity,” says Joan Robinson-Berry, Vice President and General Manager at Boeing South Carolina. “Engagement is an ongoing process, and Boeing will continue be to actively engaged with business, community, education and religious leaders across the state. “This is an exciting time to be in South Carolina, as our aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors continue to grow. We need everyone to understand the opportunities that manufacturing brings, and make sure that the future South Carolina workforce is adequately prepared from an education and training perspective to fill those jobs and build careers.”

Workforce & Jobs Report

SC Wage Data

The following graphics highlight South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key in-demand industry clusters over the most recent four quarters of data up to the 2nd quarter of 2017 in terms of the number of businesses, employment, wages and growth identified in an SCDEW study. Those statistics for individual industry sectors within the clusters give a more complete picture of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing economy. Information for the four regions of the state shows the impact of those clusters for the different geographic areas. The industry clusters, chosen by employment size, projected growth and competitive advantage, include Diversified Manufacturing; Business and Information Technology Services; Healthcare; Transportation, Logistics and Warehousing; Construction; Tourism; and Agribusiness.

DO THE MATH

+ LEGISLATION Support collection of hours worked and occupation in the quarterly unemployment insurance wage reports Evidence-based policy decisions including spending workforce training and education funds effectively

= BUSINESS PARTICIPATION Timely completion of SCDEW surveys and submission of quarterly unemployment insurance wage reports

ACTIONABLE DATA Accurate, detailed labor market information provides critical information for building a skilled workforce that spurs business competitiveness and economic growth

Workforce & Jobs Report

SC Wage Data AT A GLANCE: STATEWIDE EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES Industry Title

# of Employment

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

2,981

14,816

$1,665

82.0%

429

2,652

$1,665

4.7%

# of Businesses

# of Employment

375

2,911

$882

-26.0%

Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers Publishing Industries (except Internet)

Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry

552

$898

36.8%

Telecommunications

570

12,587

$1,172

7.8%

Textile Mills

180

14,852

$838

-5.8%

Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services

338

2,904

$1,335

16.3%

Textile Product Mills

137

3,960

$750

-2.1%

Other Information Services

144

521

$1,839

58.6%

Apparel Manufacturing

901

$666

-1.2%

Rental and Leasing Services

177

1,796

$1,440

10.3%

Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing

$529

#N/A

155

$1,213

#N/A

Wood Product Manufacturing

255

8,172

$896

-0.1%

14,518

85,489

$1,378

25.7%

Paper Manufacturing

125

10,363

$1,426

-1.7%

Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Management of Companies and Enterprises

817

19,175

$1,496

8.3%

Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing

409

$1,362

#N/A

Administrative and Support Services

3,382

106,806

$630

26.8%

Chemical Manufacturing

358

17,871

$1,341

4.7%

TOTALS

23,503

248,194

$1,075

24.5%

Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing

260

20,385

$1,106

7.8%

270

6,597

$1,098

-10.8%

Primary Metal Manufacturing

108

4,467

$1,434

2.9%

Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

890

26,505

$1,078

9.8%

Machinery Manufacturing

502

18,487

$1,303

-0.9%

2,220

$1,139

7.5%

Industry Title

Forestry and Logging

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

HEALTHCARE Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Insurance Carriers and Related Activities Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles

401

2,220

$1,678

8.9%

180

2,167

$1,654

6.2%

9,921

$1,215

11.3%

$6,745

#N/A

769

$970

10.3%

7,304

94,409

$1,168

30.3%

Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing

246

26,528

$1,120

18.9%

Ambulatory Health Care Services

206

2,445

$764

-3.8%

Hospitals

290

91,538

$1,108

#N/A

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

376

3,959

$1,004

-7.1%

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities

855

42,835

$549

21.8%

4,535

171,630

$1,123

5.3%

Social Assistance

914

23,445

$417

#N/A

Personal and Laundry Services

2,048

$709

6.6%

10,117

269,357

$990

19.1%

TOTALS

BUSINESS & IT SERVICES Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

# of Businesses

120

1,293

$1,288

6.2%

Workforce & Jobs Report

Rental and Leasing Services

TOTALS

*Note: #N/A - Projections data is confidential and suppressed.

DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING

SC Wage Data AT A GLANCE: STATEWIDE EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES T R A N S P O R TAT I O N , L OG I S T I C S & WA R E H O U S I N G

Industry Title

# of Businesses

# of Employment

3,676

35,299

$1,221

8.9%

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

1,828

21,911

$1,109

6.2%

TOTALS

2,981

14,816

$1,665

82.0%

Air Transportation

894

$854

7.0%

Water Transportation

278

$1,576

#N/A

Truck Transportation

1,620

21,310

$891

Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation

173

2,847

Support Activities for Transportation

Industry Title

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

# of Businesses

# of Employment

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

421

$1,524

6.2%

2,146

20,512

$1,510

25.7%

7,400

77,622

$1,229

16.1%

494

4,460

$522

7.3%

TOURISM

2,666

$471

10.1%

13.3%

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries

1,300

25,219

$359

8.1%

$531

5.3%

Accommodation

1,258

31,052

$457

7.3%

580

$536

7.4%

Food Services and Drinking Places

9,056

190,352

$317

10.9%

598

8,799

$880

5.0%

TOTALS

7,400

77,622

$1,229

16.1%

Couriers and Messengers

250

7,474

$748

7.4%

Warehousing and Storage

329

21,008

$708

28.4%

Crop Production

11,639

135,215

$1,052

16.9%

Animal Production and Aquaculture

TOTALS

Forestry and Logging

CONSTRUCTION Mining (except Oil and Gas)

AGRIBUSINESS 302

4,031

$559

3.6%

117

1,522

$649

3.9%

378

2,937

$861

-26.0%

113

$681

-35.5%

198

$1,019

3.3%

Fishing, Hunting and Trapping

3,149

22,865

$1,297

13.7%

Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry

254

2,164

$675

36.8%

Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

754

11,065

$985

31.8%

Food Manufacturing

343

18,130

$705

-0.3%

Wood Product Manufacturing

197

7,148

$944

-0.1%

Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing

110

1,560

$868

#N/A

211

$1,120

#N/A

Wood Product Manufacturing

254

8,251

$882

-0.1%

616

$792

7.8%

Paper Manufacturing

144

12,568

$1,471

-1.7%

225

4,894

$1,067

-10.8%

Machinery Manufacturing

145

$1,139

-0.9%

135

1,339

$738

-3.8%

Repair and Maintenance

569

4,156

$1,029

11.6%

704

8,353

$1,122

8.9%

TOTALS

2,504

55,577

$930

1.9%

Construction of Buildings

Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

Workforce & Jobs Report

SC Wage Data GREATER UPSTATE REGION Industry Title

Forestry and Logging Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry Textile Mills Textile Product Mills Apparel Manufacturing Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing Wood Product Manufacturing Paper Manufacturing Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing Chemical Manufacturing Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing Primary Metal Manufacturing Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing Machinery Manufacturing Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing Miscellaneous Manufacturing TOTALS

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

# of Employment

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

1,913 57 213 215 5

26,490 29,686 12,730 6,950 344

$1,252 $1,142 $566 $371 $795

30.3% #N/A 21.8% #N/A 6.6%

2,480

77,110

$1,014

18.5%

83 23 79 31 12 53 20 63 70 39 11 252 114

652 136 8,067 655 238 1,175 1,267 2,797 4,146 605 214 5,228 5,940

$759 $797 $835 $844 $855 $768 $1,042 $1,397 $921 $1,006 $932 $908 $1,549

-15.6% #N/A -6.0% -2.1% -1.2% -0.1% -1.7% 4.7% 7.9% -10.8% 2.8% 9.9% -0.9%

585

$1,100

7.5%

49 57 82

7,363 839 999

$1,166 $779 $1,018

18.4% -3.9% -7.1%

T R A N S P O R TAT I O N , L OG I S T I C S & WA R E H O U S I N G Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 951 12,653 $1,195 9.0% Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable 328 3,608 $1,104 6.2% Goods Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents 404 4,546 $1,155 81.9% and Brokers Air Transportation 8 159 $576 6.9% Water Transportation Truck Transportation 422 8,580 $911 13.7% Transit and Ground Passenger 13 250 $508 5.4% Transportation Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation Support Activities for Transportation 126 1,821 $997 5.1% Couriers and Messengers 67 2,175 $722 7.4% Warehousing and Storage 92 6,905 $730 28.4%

1,044

40,905

$1,068

5.7%

TOTALS

4,398

HEALTHCARE Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 55 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 17 Insurance Carriers and Related Activities 7 Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles -

# of Businesses

# of Employment

BUSINESS & IT SERVICES Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 19 328 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents 404 4,546 and Brokers Publishing Industries (except Internet) 76 791 Telecommunications 81 3,425 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related 43 390 Services Other Information Services 17 113 Rental and Leasing Services 30 306 Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets 5 61 Professional, Scientific, and Technical 3,002 19,835 Services Management of Companies and Enterprises 183 7,247 Administrative and Support Services 539 38,411 TOTALS

Industry Title

# of Businesses

$1,245

6.2%

$1,155

81.9%

$1,489 $1,228

4.8% 7.8%

$1,489

16.3%

$1,056 $1,279 $682

#N/A 10.3% #N/A

$1,374

25.6%

$1,619 $583

8.2% 26.8%

75,452

$975

24.5%

420 445 45 -

$1,297 $1,155 $888 -

9.0% 6.2% 11.3% -

Workforce & Jobs Report

Rental and Leasing Services Ambulatory Health Care Services Hospitals Nursing and Residential Care Facilities Social Assistance Personal and Laundry Services TOTALS

2,409

40,695

CONSTRUCTION Mining (except Oil and Gas) 3 3 Construction of Buildings 805 7,055 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 184 2,400 Wood Product Manufacturing 33 849 Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing Plastics and Rubber Products 3 22 Manufacturing Nonmetallic Mineral Product 39 605 Manufacturing Furniture and Related Product 50 600 Manufacturing Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 188 2,369 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable 8 110 Goods Professional, Scientific, and Technical 534 6,417 Services TOTALS 1,848 20,428

$1,003

17.5%

$937 $1,490 $965 $824

#N/A 13.8% 31.8% -0.1%

$834

7.9%

$1,006

-10.8%

$715

-3.9%

$1,104

9.0%

$1,221

6.2%

$1,586

25.6%

$1,347

14.8%

Note: #N/A - Projections data is confidential and suppressed; Regional employment and wage data may not exist for all industries or is confidential and suppressed.

DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING

SC Wage Data CENTRAL REGION DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING

# of Businesses

# of Employment

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

13 1,813 73 251 263 9

484 25,057 25,340 12,717 7,225 407

$957 $1,097 $1,136 $541 $456 $733

#N/A 30.3% #N/A 21.9% #N/A 6.6%

2,554

82,212

$996

17.8%

# of Employment

81 24 19 14 28 5 49 43 9 144 44

636 89 1,537 230 707 245 2,526 1,271 87 5,996 1,380

$824 $1,131 $728 $758 $854 $1,257 $1,342 $1,125 $925 $1,508 $1,209

-27.0% 40.9% -5.7% -2.1% -0.2% -1.7% 4.7% -10.7% 2.7% 9.8% -0.9%

$1,437

7.5%

11 30 74

701 288 1,284

$833 $673 $1,186

10.8% -3.6% -7.1%

T R A N S P O R TAT I O N , L OG I S T I C S & WA R E H O U S I N G Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 727 8,822 $1,256 8.9% Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable 305 6,561 $1,127 6.2% Goods Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents 363 3,065 $1,517 82.0% and Brokers Air Transportation Water Transportation Truck Transportation 376 4,921 $864 11.8% Transit and Ground Passenger 26 187 $453 5.4% Transportation Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation Support Activities for Transportation 86 507 $827 5.1% Couriers and Messengers 64 2,874 $739 #N/A Warehousing and Storage 68 6,628 $699 28.4%

TOTALS

577

17,023

$1,222

3.3%

TOTALS

Industry Title

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

Industry Title

# of Businesses

BUSINESS & IT SERVICES Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 21 165 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents 363 3,065 and Brokers Publishing Industries (except Internet) 63 708 Telecommunications 90 2,600 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related 70 1,555 Services Other Information Services 29 81 Rental and Leasing Services 33 277 Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets Professional, Scientific, and Technical 3,124 19,619 Services Management of Companies and Enterprises 124 5,114 Administrative and Support Services 625 25,553

$1,247

6.2%

$1,517

82.0%

$1,704 $1,242

4.7% 7.8%

$1,332

#N/A

$994 $1,164 -

#N/A #N/A -

$1,365

25.6%

$1,492 $671

8.3% 26.7%

58,736

$1,078

24.9%

HEALTHCARE Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 70 710 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 35 1,169 Insurance Carriers and Related Activities 27 9,105 Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles -

$1,638 $1,359 $1,311 -

8.9% 6.2% 11.3% -

TOTALS

4,542

Rental and Leasing Services Ambulatory Health Care Services Hospitals Nursing and Residential Care Facilities Social Assistance Personal and Laundry Services TOTALS

2,015

33,564

CONSTRUCTION Mining (except Oil and Gas) 3 30 Construction of Buildings 611 6,650 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 163 2,247 Wood Product Manufacturing 14 520 Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing Nonmetallic Mineral Product 37 478 Manufacturing Furniture and Related Product 24 241 Manufacturing Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 137 1,956 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable 6 118 Goods Professional, Scientific, and Technical 393 5,440 Services TOTALS 1,386 17,679

Workforce & Jobs Report

$1,032

18.4%

$633 $1,264 $932 $966

#N/A 13.7% 31.8% -0.2%

$1,029

-10.7%

$713

-3.6%

$1,237

8.9%

$780

6.2%

$1,564

25.6%

$1,284

16.0%

SC Wage Data PEE DEE REGION Industry Title

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

Rental and Leasing Services Ambulatory Health Care Services Hospitals Nursing and Residential Care Facilities Social Assistance Personal and Laundry Services

4 1,306 39 146 192 6

6 17,266 14,915 6,723 4,228 153

$531 $1,086 $974 $507 $371 $678

#N/A 30.3% #N/A 21.8% #N/A 6.6%

TOTALS

1,718

43,390

$891

20.7%

119 23 9 16 27 7 5 33 87 21

935 96 861 411 1,006 1,718 432 639 1,806 311

$850 $1,081 $765 $647 $846 $1,921 $1,025 $911 $935 $1,095

-35.5% 27.1% -5.3% -2.1% -0.1% -1.7% 7.8% -10.8% 9.8% -0.9%

11 22 34

783 185 216

$836 $732 $702

10.8% -3.9% -8.0%

T R A N S P O R TAT I O N , L OG I S T I C S & WA R E H O U S I N G Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 362 3,021 $922 8.9% Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable 162 2,115 $1,028 6.2% Goods Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents 145 862 $1,136 81.9% and Brokers Air Transportation 3 61 $739 #N/A Water Transportation Truck Transportation 262 2,838 $862 11.8% Transit and Ground Passenger 32 177 $363 5.2% Transportation Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation 14 52 $373 #N/A Support Activities for Transportation 46 248 $734 4.9% Couriers and Messengers 34 788 $808 #N/A Warehousing and Storage 42 3,845 $686 #N/A

413

9,398

$1,061

0.8%

TOTALS

2,122

HEALTHCARE Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 17 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 8 Insurance Carriers and Related Activities Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles -

# of Employment

BUSINESS & IT SERVICES Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 9 106 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents 145 862 and Brokers Publishing Industries (except Internet) 8 14 Telecommunications 96 1,686 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related 12 14 Services Other Information Services 5 4 Rental and Leasing Services 19 238 Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets 3 23 Professional, Scientific, and Technical 1,446 7,035 Services Management of Companies and Enterprises 90 2,281 Administrative and Support Services 290 6,900 TOTALS

# of Businesses

Industry Title

# of Businesses

$1,737

6.2%

$1,136

81.9%

$1,178 $1,092

4.8% 7.8%

$1,275

#N/A

$1,024 $1,216 $1,082

#N/A #N/A #N/A

$1,074

25.6%

$1,168 $551

8.3% 26.7%

19,161

$907

22.8%

59 42

$1,543 $4,815

8.9% 6.2%

Workforce & Jobs Report

1,101

14,006

CONSTRUCTION Mining (except Oil and Gas) 4 57 Construction of Buildings 481 2,643 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 113 2,028 Wood Product Manufacturing 14 729 Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing Nonmetallic Mineral Product 33 639 Manufacturing Furniture and Related Product 22 185 Manufacturing Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 88 954 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable 3 14 Goods Professional, Scientific, and Technical 193 1,241 Services TOTALS 949 8,489

$855

12.6%

$909 $919 $902 $1,000

3.3% 13.7% 31.8% -0.1%

$911

-10.8%

$732

-3.9%

$912

8.9%

$698

6.2%

$1,260

25.6%

$966

14.8%

Note: #N/A - Projections data is confidential and suppressed; Regional employment and wage data may not exist for all industries or is confidential and suppressed.

DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING

SC Wage Data SOUTH COAST REGION DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING Industry Title

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

# of Businesses

# of Employment

Avg. Weekly 10-Yr. % Proj. Wage Growth

5 1,710 44 137 155 13

81 20,007 19,651 7,550 3,940 642

$1,219 $1,303 $1,151 $560 $411 $670

#N/A 30.3% #N/A 21.9% #N/A 6.6%

2,154

53,236

$1,072

21.1%

# of Employment

74 20 3 16 19 7 4 23 11 38 7 78 6

574 220 313 210 336 1,236 95 1,031 75 940 357 993 117

$980 $782 $1,394 $675 $1,080 $1,746 $1,102 $1,420 $982 $1,176 $1,166 $930 $1,011

-18.7% #N/A -5.7% -2.3% -0.2% #N/A #N/A 4.7% 7.8% -10.8% 3.0% 9.9% -0.9%

33 39 52

2,084 314 649

$1,158 $788 $762

23.7% -3.7% -7.0%

T R A N S P O R TAT I O N , L OG I S T I C S & WA R E H O U S I N G Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 526 4,966 $1,167 8.9% Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable 275 2,375 $1,054 6.2% Goods Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents 227 1,369 $1,735 82.0% and Brokers Air Transportation 16 260 $1,194 7.1% Water Transportation 18 257 $1,598 #N/A Truck Transportation 359 4,038 $900 15.1% Transit and Ground Passenger 26 659 $437 #N/A Transportation Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation 42 406 $540 7.4% Support Activities for Transportation 208 4,265 $923 5.0% Couriers and Messengers 47 1,097 $762 #N/A Warehousing and Storage 73 2,227 $738 28.4%

430

9,540

$1,173

10.7%

TOTALS

BUSINESS & IT SERVICES Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 20 100 Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents 227 1,369 and Brokers Publishing Industries (except Internet) 85 333 Telecommunications 74 1,357 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related 62 517 Services Other Information Services 28 238 Rental and Leasing Services 41 382 Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets 6 30 Professional, Scientific, and Technical 3,277 22,763 Services Management of Companies and Enterprises 164 3,338 Administrative and Support Services 540 17,306 TOTALS

Industry Title

# of Businesses

4,524

HEALTHCARE Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 55 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 25 Insurance Carriers and Related Activities 10 Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles -

$1,280

6.2%

$1,735

82.0%

$1,539 $1,298

4.7% 7.8%

$1,035

#N/A

$2,634 $1,140 $1,440

58.6% #N/A #N/A

$1,532

25.7%

$1,363 $611

8.3% 26.8%

47,731

$1,182

25.0%

434 133 797 -

$1,598 $1,582 $1,333 -

8.9% 6.2% 11.3% -

Rental and Leasing Services Ambulatory Health Care Services Hospitals Nursing and Residential Care Facilities Social Assistance Personal and Laundry Services TOTALS

1,816

21,918

CONSTRUCTION Mining (except Oil and Gas) Construction of Buildings 939 5,705 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 178 3,029 Wood Product Manufacturing 19 336 Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing Nonmetallic Mineral Product 34 752 Manufacturing Furniture and Related Product 32 273 Manufacturing Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 128 1,511 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable 4 71 Goods Professional, Scientific, and Technical 567 5,783 Services TOTALS 1,901 17,460

Workforce & Jobs Report

$1,002

15.8%

$1,242 $1,175 $1,080

13.7% 31.8% -0.2%

$1,206

-10.8%

$818

-3.7%

$1,098

8.9%

$1,045

6.2%

$1,442

25.7%

$1,272

19.6%

SC SHRM STATE COUNCIL: SERVING HR AND THE COMMUNITY Lisa DeVeaux, Immediate Past SC SHRM State Council Director, Chamber HR Committee Member

With the state’s economic growth, Human Resources professionals are having to remain abreast of top labor issues within South Carolina. The SC Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council provides oversight and support to 14 area SHRM affiliated HR Chapters serving communities within the state. Workforce readiness efforts to train and employ workers in order to obtain sustainable employment remain a key focus of SHRM’s national organization. The local chapters partner with area schools, colleges and universities, and technical colleges throughout the year. This relationship serves as a good resource when it comes to enhancing skill development through interview skills workshops, providing internships, mentoring, or merely promoting soft skills to prepare workers and our veterans to be successful in their roles. Because the chapter members are HR professionals, company relationships can easily develop into recruitment and training resources. For example, SHRM has a partnership with Junior Achievement to prepare young students to succeed in life. The dynamics in the workforce are changing. Many generations of workers, ranging from the millennial who grew up with technology to an aging workforce becoming savvy with the use of social media,

Workforce & Jobs Report

now work collaboratively as teams. Automation and the shift toward doing business online have not only impacted the way South Carolina employers do business, but also the jobs themselves. Challenging workforce decisions to restructure can result in a reduction of jobs needed or retooling jobs. It is widely recognized in today’s workforce that technology plays a vital part of business. Having a partnership with the SC Department of Employment and Workforce provides HR professionals with the knowledge of resources available to better assist their transitional employees to obtain employment, often through education and training provided to enhance skills. For example, the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative linking education to workforce development crossed all local SHRM chapters in the state, with an emphasis on the state conferences. These conferences are a great platform to get the word out to a mass audience about the workforce initiatives happening in South Carolina. Because today’s workforce is changing rapidly, employers must think and operate differently when it comes to recruitment and benefit offerings. HR professionals are not always the experts but are certainly adaptable to change, and the culture shift in

SC SHRM State Council demographics across the state is just one way in which we can diversify our workforce and drive innovation. The State Council works with local organizations within each community and at the state level to support efforts to drive change. The Council was a proud sponsor of the Inclusion Drives Innovation Employer Summit focused upon driving awareness of the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities in South Carolina and encouraging the Employment First initiative. The SC SHRM State Council supports the need for these initiatives across the state. Business leaders, attorneys, local Chambers and other speakers address the latest trends on top HR issues to assist HR professionals so the workforce can receive necessary training and education. Local speakers and initiatives are driven by specific needs within local communities to bridge the skills gap. For instance, many of our local SHRM Chapters have promoted educating HR practitioners in understanding strategies to recruit and retain veterans seeking employment. Additionally, HR professionals in South Carolina continue to examine the re-entry of ex-offenders into the workplace. Advocacy for HR-related legislative issues that impact employment in our state matters—members of the SC SHRM State Council speak to our elected officials on Capitol Hill. Topics range from addressing the issues with the Department of Labor’s Overtime Regulations to the Affordable Care Act’s Cadillac Tax. Under H.R. 4219, Workflex in the 21st Century Act, SC SHRM State Council members advocated in support of employers voluntarily providing

paid time off to their employees and promoting workplace flexibility, but in a way that allows employers to set their own paid leave benefits rather than facing a government mandate. Tax reform and employer provided benefits have been a hot topic and, on behalf of employers, the SC SHRM State Council advocated in support of preserving the scope of the employerprovided education assistance benefit in IRC Section 127 of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For employees seeking associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, this would allow for them to exclude from income up to $5,250 of education assistance provided by their employer. This is an important benefit for employers to offer in order to support the education of employees and remain competitive in recruiting and retaining top talent. Preserving qualified tuition reduction programs, IRC Section 117, allows education institutions to provide their employees, spouses and children educational assistance tax-free. Many letters have been written to Congress by the SC SHRM State Council urging Congress to preserve valuable employer-provided benefits and alleviating legislation that will be burdensome and cost prohibitive. Today’s HR leaders focus on strategic management and forward thinking in their organization in order to retain a competitive advantage and drive change. We live in a state where we are fortunate to see success in job growth but must find ways to ensure we play a part in narrowing the skills gap. The South Carolina SHRM State Council strives to be the resource for HR knowledge in South Carolina and to provide timely information on HR issues relevant to the management of employees in organizations of all sizes, serve as experts on legislative topics related to HR, and support HR professionals and the SHRM affiliated chapters of South Carolina.

Workforce & Jobs Report

LABOR UPDATES: TIME FOR RE-BALANCING By William H. Floyd III, Member, Nexsen Pruet Looking back on 2017, there have been many positive developments from a labor law perspective. More of the same is expected in 2018, especially on the national level. In the coming year, re-evaluation of controversial, sometimes pro-union rulings and regulations should begin correcting the current imbalance in national labor relations policy.

SUCCESSES IN 2017

JOINT EMPLOYMENT

During 2017, South Carolina remained the least unionized state in the nation. The state’s largest union election in 2017 resulted in the resounding rejection of unionization. On February 15, 2017, the vast majority of Boeing’s employees in North Charleston and Ladson, South Carolina, rejected the International Association of Machinist’s attempts to unionize them. The union’s loss preserved South Carolina’s status as being the state with the lowest unionization percentage in the nation, benefiting the state’s employees and employers.

Many workforces are comprised of people who work for different employers, such as a temporary employment agency. A few years ago, the NLRB issued a controversial decision making it easier to combine these employees, who work for different employers, pursuant to the joint employment doctrine. Under the Browning-Ferris Industries ruling in 2015, joint employment status could be established by showing that one employer had indirect or potential control over employees of another employer. The NLRB recently returned to a more traditional test for joint employment: Whether one employer exercised actual and direct immediate control over the working conditions of the employees of another employer. Employers welcome the return to the traditional test, which offers more certainty and less subjectivity. Also, the ruling will likely help clarify whether franchisors are responsible for a franchisee’s employees under the joint employment doctrine.

UPCOMING SUPREME COURT DECISION Looking ahead, the United States Supreme Court will decide several important labor and employment cases that are currently pending. For example, the Court will resolve a significant issue about union dues: whether public sector unions can mandate the collection of “agency” fees from public employees who are not union members. Another significant issue being weighed by the Court is whether employers can enforce employment agreements that bar employees from pursuing employment-related claims in class or collective lawsuits or arbitrations.

NEW NLRB LEADERSHIP The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is under new leadership and has begun returning the nation to a more balanced labor policy. The NLRB is responsible for enforcing the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which governs labor management relations at unionized and non-unionized employers. Under the new administration, the NLRB has returned to a more moderate approach to labor relations issues and has begun reversing some pro-union rulings generated during the prior administration.

“MICRO UNITS” Under the previous administration, the NLRB made it easier to unionize small subsets of employees within a larger workforce. Created by the Specialty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center of Mobile decision, these small groups of employees, known as “micro units,” were allowed to unionize without regard to the other employees. On December 15, 2017, however, the new NLRB reverted to a more long-standing precedent, known as the “community of interest” test, to decide whether a larger group of employees, based on their shared working conditions, should vote about unionization, rather than only a smaller subset.

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKS Employee handbooks convey important information about the workplace. Over the past several years, the NLRB scrutinized many standard handbook provisions using a very subjective standard and invalidated many policies as potentially “chilling” the exercise of NLRA rights. The new NLRB has reversed course and established a more predictable, less subjective test that focuses on two factors: “(i) the nature and extent of the potential impact on NLRA rights, and (ii) legitimate justifications associated with the rule.” Under the new analysis, it will be easier for employers to draft and enforce important personnel policies such as “no camera” and “civility” rules.

CONCLUSION From a labor and employment law perspective, expect the positive shift in national labor policy initiated in 2017 to continue in the new year. Changes will likely be gradual. Nevertheless, through court decisions, new regulations, or legislation, employees and employers should benefit from more balanced labor and employment laws. For more than 30 years, William Floyd has practiced labor and employment law, representing employers of all sizes. Mr. Floyd is a Certified Labor and Employment Law Specialist and Member of Nexsen Pruet, LLC and can be contacted at wfloyd@nexsenpruet.com.

Workforce & Jobs Report

Chamber Committee Reports

MANUFACTURER’S STEERING COMMITTEE By Daniel S. Sanders, Jr, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Michelin North America, Greenville

Manufacturing continues its unprecedented expansion in South Carolina. Manufacturers and their suppliers see our state as a wonderful place to do business—a place where they can ship and receive goods through a world-class port, have easy access to multiple interstate roads, and to recruit a dependable, productive workforce.

General Active support of workforce development initiatives. Active support of infrastructure improvements including roads, natural gas, water, electrical and shipping.

To help ensure that South Carolina maintains this manufacturing growth momentum the SC Chamber’s Manufacturing Steering Committee (MSC) developed the following 2025 goals:

Strengthen SC’s right to work environment.

Specific

Advocate for the most competitive manufacturing business environment (taxes, permits, regulations).

Increase the number of high school students selecting the manufacturing career of study by 5 percent. Increase the number of high school students selecting STEM career cluster by 5 percent. Increase the number of participants obtaining manufacturing related certifications through our Technical Colleges by 10 percent. (Manufacturing related certifications include SCMC, MSSC, welding, mechatronics, TDL, machining, metalworking, automation, quality, and fabrication). Increase the number of commercial driver licenses issued by 10 percent. Increase number of college graduates in manufacturing related fields of study by 5 percent. (Manufacturing fields of study include engineering, engineering technology, computer science, math, science, transportation, and materials).

Advocate for the inclusion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the mission statements of our state’s manufacturers.

Support the growth and development of manufacturing related apprenticeships.

At the Chamber Strengthen Committee membership to ensure a broad range of manufacturing interests are represented. Increase Committee participation and engagement. Establish the Manufacturing Employee of the Year as one the premier Chamber events. Throughout 2018 the MSC will be working to identify ways and taking action to promote the achievement of these goals.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE By Ben Rex, CEO, Cyberwoven, Chair, Information Technology and Innovation Committee

The SC Chamber of Commerce has established a new committee to advance the business climate for South Carolina’s innovation and technology sectors. The Chamber’s Information Technology and Innovation Committee (ITIC) will provide a forum for incubating and accelerating concepts that strengthen South Carolina’s innovation economy and grow our innovative workforce. Furthermore, the committee will vet IT and Innovation related legislation.

Workforce & Jobs Report

The initial committee organizing meeting was held in November with a group of seven key stakeholders that began the process of identifying areas of IT concerns for the business community and impediments to innovation across the state. The team continues to further refine areas for potential committee work and how to best fill our committee membership (25 members). The target is to have the full committee in place and functioning by the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Chamber Committee Reports

SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE By Steve Spinks, CEO, The Spinx Company, Chairman, Small Business Council

It’s often said that small businesses are the economic engine of South Carolina, and the data clearly supports that adage. However, those small businesses bear a disparate share of the overall tax and regulatory burden, and that has proved to be a hindrance to their growth and prosperity. Since its inception, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council has advocated for the advancement of small businesses, but work remains to be done.

Since 2007 when Act 388 was enacted, property tax collections on commercial properties have increased over $1.2 billion (60%) statewide. These figures exclude manufacturing property, which means the affected businesses are invariably small businesses. A 60% increase over ten years is unsustainable, and the legislature needs to look at ways to curtail that trend. Now that federal deductions for sales and local taxes are capped, we could see even more pressure on small businesses and their finances.

South Carolina’s small businesses represent 97 percent of all employers and employ 48.4 percent of the private-sector labor force. Almost 400,000 small businesses are currently operating in South Carolina, and over 50 percent of South Carolina Chamber of Commerce members are small businesses.

Almost every municipality in South Carolina imposes a business license fee, and each city has a different application, due date, and rate structure. Cities require that you apply in person, and depending upon your type of business, that potentially could be required for each job performed and for all those you contract to perform work for your business. It’s the most business unfriendly process in our state. Compliance with such regulatory processes should be efficient and standardized across the entire state. The SC Chamber Small Business Council is committed to seeing a more streamlined process for all cities so that businesses can spend more time focused on growth and less time in line at the tax office.

In 2006 the SC Chamber successfully pushed for lower income tax rates for S-Corporations and pass-through businesses, phasing in a reduction from 7.0% to 5.0%. While the income tax rate remains comparable with the Southeastern states that impose an income tax, the consistent increase in property taxes and the burden of complying with over 230+ local business license ordinances has kept our state from keeping pace with the growth of small business sectors compared to our neighboring states.

Please support SC small businesses and the Chamber’s efforts to achieve parity for all businesses in 2018.

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE By Bryan Hamrick, Director, Human Resources, Zeus Industrial Products, Inc., Chair, Human Resources Committee

A well-educated workforce that is understanding of change and prepared to continuously improve processes, services, and products is the only true sustainable competitive advantage for any business. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s Human Resources Committee (HRC) is working hard to help ensure that the right things are in place to make sure our state’s businesses have that workforce.

The Committee’s focus for 2018 will include continuing all the activities already discussed plus: Promoting and providing feedback to South Carolina’s new online State Unemployment Insurance Tax System (SUITS). Advocating for the changes needed to make the state’s free of charge labor exchange system (State Jobs Database) more attractive to businesses. Supporting employee professional development through active assistance, promotion, and participation in the Chamber’s Lunch and Learn Series and Webinars.

The Committee pays attention to all things HR, including workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, minimum wage, union activity, and more. It routinely monitors legislative activities, promotes the sharing of information amongst HR professionals, and advocates for policies that will help improve workforce development. Last year the Committee took a strong stance against the repeal of our state’s Rightto-Work law and provided guidance and support for an ex-offender workforce re-integration plan.

The HRC will continue to listen to Human Resources Professionals and promises to use that information to drive our future focus. We remain committed to our mission:

Annually the Committee supports a Human Resources Conference that provides a great forum for practitioner collaboration and recognition of the HR Professional of the Year.

“To provide guidance in the development and implementation of human resource programs and services which are responsive to the needs of SC businesses.”

Workforce & Jobs Report

Chamber Committee Reports EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE By Stephen Cox, Attorney, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A., Chairman, Education & Workforce Development Committee

Each year, the Education and Workforce Development Committee of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce reviews its long-term goals and prioritizes its efforts to address the challenges faced by South Carolina businesses. Currently, South Carolina employers report that their number one need is a sustainable, highly educated workforce of IT technicians, engineers, managers, and sales professionals. To fulfill this need, it is critical that South Carolina develop an education and training pipeline that gives South Carolinians the skills they need to be productive in our modern, competitive economy. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce advocates for necessary changes and improvements to our State’s workforce pipeline. To support the Chamber’s effort, the EWDC has developed long-term goals tailored to the particular demands of South Carolina businesses. As our State’s economy becomes more sophisticated, diverse and robust, South Carolina employers are calling for more and more workers who are proficient in a variety of sophisticated technical occupations. Mindful of this need, the EWDC’s goals include the following:

South Carolina’s schools will yield a 10 percent yearly increase in the number of students completing a Career and Technology Education(CATE) program of study leading to a specialized stackable credential of value. South Carolina’s schools will produce a 10 percent yearly increase in SC Technical College-issued certificates and credentials in areas that support SC’s workforce sector strategies. Business apprenticeships will grow at a yearly rate of 10 percent. These are only a few of the 2025 goals for which the EWDC is advocating. The Committee understands the needs of South Carolina businesses and is focused on helping to meet those needs. Through partnership and collaboration with research universities, the technical college system, apprenticeship programs and CATE programs, we can help create a workforce pipeline that will meet the demands of South Carolina employers. This is one of our top priorities, as we all work to make South Carolina the best place to live, work and do business.

90 percent of all South Carolina high school students will graduate on-time, as measured by the U.S. Department of Education’s Uniform Graduation Rate formula.

DIVERSITY COUNCIL By Cynthia J. Walters, Ed.D, Corporate Director of Inclusion, Palmetto Health, Chairman, Diversity Committee

It has become a truism to say that “diversity is something to be cultivated and valued within business and industry.” Diversity is defined as “differences and similarities with related tensions and complexities.” Diversity is more than race, sex and age. It can also include, but is not limited to religion, socio-economic status, gender identity/expression, language, culture, abilities and disabilities. Given that our world increasingly requires us to work and interact with those who may be different from us on some dimension, we must strategically, intentionally and deliberately use diversity to move toward a culture of inclusion. Creating a culture of inclusion involves building a sustainable environment where all employees, customers and communities served feel visible, valued and respected. With four generations in today’s workplace, inclusion leads to higher job satisfaction, lowers turnover, increases productivity, drives innovation and creativity, decreases vulnerability to legal challenges and improves employee morale. Building a culture of inclusion must permeate the organization and receive support from the C-suite through the frontline. Everyone in

Workforce & Jobs Report

the organization must make inclusion a priority and progress must be measured. Remember: what gets measured gets addressed. Leadership must not only talk the talk, they must also walk the walk. To this end, the SC Chamber of Commerce Diversity Council has the following mission: “to encourage, support and educate employers in building inclusive work environments, as they seek to value and strengthen diversity.” Our goals are to: (1) provide opportunities to educate all chamber committees/councils on the benefits of leveraging diversity/inclusion among each committee/council; (2) can host an annual “Lunch and Learn” program and other education on diversity and inclusion; and (3) use Diversity Foundation funds to support advancement of workplace diversity and inclusion. For 2018, we aim to strengthen inclusion within Chamber committees, provide additional education to support this work and to survey businesses to identify additional opportunities for deliberate growth in this field. Diversity is the mix, inclusion is getting the mix to work well together!