Upstate Workforce Board

10/16/2026

Elizabeth is so passionate about her work! We are so lucky to have to have her in our community. Congrats!

We’re proud to honor Elizabeth Tisdale, executive director of the Children's Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties, as our 2026 Newby Fellow. Her leadership and commitment to families in Spartanburg County continue to make a lasting impact. In our Q&A with Elizabeth, we got to know more about the person behind the work — she shares what keeps her up at night, what keeps her going, and some of the experiences that continue to shape her work.

Read the full article: https://maryblackfoundation.org/2026/10/14/elizabeth-tisdale/

10/07/2026

This is what it is all about! So proud of Autumn!

Congratulations to Autumn Jenkins for earning her GED in less than three months and earning a $500 incentive check for her accomplishment. Autumn is our youngest student enrolled in the history of Achieve since 1979. She also has the highest composite testing scores. Way to go, Autumn!!! 👏🎊🙌

10/07/2026

Did you know...

10/06/2026

Thank you to Mayor Dawkins and Superintendent Dr. Fitzpatrick for speaking today during our quarterly Cherokee Partners Meeting. Today we heard about the plans to enhance access to resources in Cherokee County with a cradle to grave initiative. It is always great to get this group together to share about all of the resources and opportunities with in the county. If your group, business or organization would like to join us for future meetings, please let us know!

10/05/2026

Did you know October is also Manufacturing Month? We are lucky to have BMW invest in our local youth.

BMW Manufacturing will welcome more than 900 middle and high school students Oct. 6 for the company’s Manufacturing Careers Day 2026.

10/02/2026

We are excited for our Associate Director, Kelly to join this year's Leadership Cherokee class!

10/02/2026

October is National Disability Employee Awareness Month. SCWORKS is partnering with SC Vocational Rehabilitation to offer a Job Fair tomorrow!!!!! The Job Fair is open to all people looking for employment. Partners will be present sharing employment resources. Come say Hi!

10/01/2026

This month you will see us posting to recognize disability employment awareness month! No better post to start with than a proclamation from our Governor awarded to a valuable partner, Able South Carolina.

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month ( ), we invite you to celebrate the Governor of SC's signing of this proclamation recognizing the value South Carolinians with disabilities bring to our workforce.

Workers with disabilities strengthen our economy, enrich workplace culture, and provide innovative solutions through their diverse skills and experiences. This proclamation not only honors their contributions but also reaffirms SC’s commitment to creating a workforce where every individual can thrive.

Full text of the proclamation, pictured here, below:

WHEREAS, South Carolina is driven to improve disability employment and recognized the need to change legislation to end subminimum wage and encourage Employment First throughout state agencies; and

WHEREAS, South Carolinians with disabilities have the same aspirations to work competitively and contribute to their communities as everyone else; and

WHEREAS, business and community leaders have called for a··capable workforce to further advance the economy of the Palmetto State; and

WHEREAS, the support and cooperation of all people are needed to reduce the attitudinal and physical barriers that hinder the full acceptance of people with disabilities and their rightful place in employment; and

WHEREAS, Employment First, which assumes that employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all working age citizens with disabilities regardless of level of disability, is implemented in all areas of service provision and delivery for people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes that individuals with disabilities are capable, contributing members of society worthy of full access to South Carolina's workforce.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Henry Dargan McMaster, Governor of the great State of South Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2026 as DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH throughout the state and encourage all South Carolinians to work together to advance the message that people with disabilities are equal to the task



[Image of State of South Carolina Governor's Proclamation for DIsability Employment Awareness Month.]

09/30/2026

A new episode of The Works Podcast is out! 🎙️

In this episode, S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director and Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) Chair William Floyd welcomes back Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant, Director of the Office of State Workforce Development (OSWD), for an engaging retrospective on the most recent CCWD meeting. Dr. Battle-Bryant shares how the reinvigoration of the Coordinating Council has increased collaboration between educators and employers, and how staying aligned with the Unified State Plan continues to strengthen South Carolina’s workforce.

The conversation showcased the progress made by the CCWD, starting with the status of the Find Your Future (FYF) portal – a virtual, interactive platform that helps South Carolinians connect to personalized education, training, and employment opportunities tailored to them – and the progress each committee is making on its annual deliverables.

Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant and Chairman Floyd shared insights from a thought-provoking panel discussion with three young men now employed by the businesses where they interned, who discussed how their early internship experiences helped them develop the foundational skills necessary for long-term career success. Dr. Battle-Bryant shared how the panelists highlighted the importance of durable/soft skills and how educators can connect curriculum to skills employers are seeking, and the impact of mentoring the younger generation.

Watch now on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=vNICffsmLOg, listen on your favorite streaming platform or BuzzSprout at buzzsprout.com/2595056/episodes/19877780, and explore all episodes at findyourfuture.sc.gov/theworks.