Where to Find Jobs as South Carolina Grows and Changes

South Carolina Job Outlook

South Carolina is a rapidly changing state, reflecting broader trends which are being felt across the nation. The US economy has been increasingly affected by global integration and pressures from outside markets. Tangible results of this can be found in the outsourcing of many manufacturing jobs to foreign countries. Many people across the country are finding themselves unemployed as their jobs are moving overseas, or are simply disappearing as foreign markets take shares of traditionally US controlled industries. South Carolina has been able to retain some manufacturing jobs due to its aggressive efforts in attracting overseas investments, evidenced in such high profile ventures as the BMW plant outside of Spartanburg. The agricultural industry is also loosing jobs, either to consolidation or overseas competition. In both cases, men and women who once had middle-class jobs, which required a high school diploma or less education, are being forced to look for work in areas which are considered un-skilled labor. The key to strengthening the workers displaced by the loss of agricultural jobs is training and education. South Carolina is taking steps to make job training and education affordable for its workers, which is one reason it is growing as a destination for relocating businesses.

As South Carolina’s job market changes from one focused on manufacturing and agricultural industries to more focus on high-skilled jobs such as education, health care, technology, and business many jobs will be created for educated workers. One of the factors leading to greater demand for professionals in these areas is the retirement of many Baby Boomers. The first wave of Baby Boomers will hit 65 in 2011, and their retirement will leave many skilled positions open to younger workers. A gap is growing, created by the demand for skilled workers to fill a growing number of positions, and the availability of educated people to do the work. Overall, South Carolina has outpaced the US average for job growth, with a 2.4% gain in 2006, and a projected gain of 1.7% in 2007 by the Divison of Research of the Moore School of Business at the Unversity of South Carolina. There is also a pay gap growing in South Carolina and across the state. While people previously employed in manufacturing and farming jobs are able to get new jobs in the service, hospitality, tourism, and retail industry, most of those jobs do not provide the type of economic security needed to sustain a family.

The 2007-2008 estimate is that 33,000 new jobs will be created in South Carolina. The largest gains will be in local government (8,200), professional and business services (6,800), retail trade (5,900), leisure and hospitalities (5,600), and health care (4,900).

The biggest losses of jobs are expected to occur in the manufacturing sector; more specifically 4,900 in nondurable goods such as textiles and apparel, and 2,800 in the durable goods industry. The good news for residents of Spartanburg County is that Adidas AG will be closing distribution centers in Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Kentucky, and moving to South Carolina, creating 1,200 new jobs.

Centers of job growth are located in the metropolitan areas, with rural areas experiencing most of the negative effects loss of jobs brings. South Carolina has an unemployment rate of 5.8%, and the most vibrant areas of the state are Charleston and Myrtle Beach, with rates of 4.1% and 4.2% respectively. Columbia and Greenville are also under 5% unemployment.

While the changing economy may mean tougher times for some, for skilled workers looking to migrate to South Carolina, it is a boon. With the number of Baby Boomers retiring growing every year, there will be plenty of opportunities to find jobs that pay well for skilled workers. Another positive point for South Carolina is its system of community colleges which offer classes to certify people in business applications and health care, amongst other things. These classes are geared towards older learners, with inexpensive tuition and night classes offered. Given the attractiveness of South Carolina’s pro-business attitude, and a commitment to training its workers to meet the economy’s changing demand, there is no reason why South Carolina’s growth and prosperity should change.

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About the Author

Bob  Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location anyalyst for major corporations and been researching the growth of NC and SC to find those areas which are affordable. Visit his blog-The Carolina Report and signup free to  get blog updates by email, along with free advice on how to relocate or retire in the Carolinas, additional resources, and a lot more!  Go now to www.placesofvalue.com.  Bob does not sell real estate.

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