Business leaders discuss ways to improve workforce

The Orangeburg County Development Commission, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and the Calhoun County Development Commission recently held a Business-Education Forum at OCtech.

The June 17 forum was held to discuss ways to improve the quality of the workforce in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.

Representatives from Apprenticeship Carolina, Eastman Chemical Company, Lower Savannah Education & Business Alliance and Workforce Development attended the forum, along with manufacturing site and human resource managers, educators and economic development directors.

“The infrastructure of a skilled workforce is just as important as having water, sewer and rail when it comes to winning a prospect in economic development,” OCDC Executive Director Gregg Robinson said.

A panel discussion was held on apprenticeship programs, workforce education and other workforce programs.

The benefits of registered apprenticeships in growing skills, building loyalty and investment, and worker accountability were discussed.

Information was presented on The Workforce Investment Act and the WorkKeys programs, which offer employers tools such as job profiling, skill mapping and occupational profiles.