South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

What South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce does

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) is a state government agency headquartered at 1550 Gadsden Street, Columbia, South Carolina, operating under the authority of Governor Henry McMaster. The agency executes four core missions: workforce development, free job matching services, unemployment insurance administration, and labor market information production. It serves South Carolina's job seekers (including the unemployed, career changers, youth, veterans, and returning citizens) and employers across all industries and sizes, with particular emphasis on manufacturing-sector employers such as BMW, Michelin, Boeing, and AFL through the Workforce Champion Award program.

DEW operates an integrated service platform spanning physical SC Works centers statewide, mobile Career Coach units, and digital portals including MyBenefits (unemployment claims), SUITS (employer UI tax), ESS (employer self-service), SCWOS (job matching), YES (youth employment), and FindYourFuture.sc.gov (consolidated education-workforce resources). The agency runs specialized programs including the STAYS veteran employment initiative, Operation Palmetto Employment with the S.C. National Guard, the Second Chance Program for returning citizens (in partnership with the Department of Corrections and Probation, Parole and Pardon Services), and the WIN Learning Professional Skills Credential. The Labor Market Information division produces employment statistics, supply gap analyses (documenting a 73,000 annual statewide supply gap), wage data, and occupational research.

The agency is funded through mandatory employer unemployment insurance taxes, state budget appropriations, and federal grants including WIOA and Workforce Pell. All services to job seekers and employers are provided free of charge. DEW is led by Executive Director William Floyd, who also chairs the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development. The agency distributes services through a multi-channel model — physical centers, mobile outreach (including rural-specific initiatives), self-service web portals, and partnerships with technical colleges (Greenville Tech, Spartanburg Community College, Tri-County Technical College, Midlands Technical College) and employer scholarship programs.

Name

South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

Legal name

South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

Website

https://dew.sc.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) is a state government agency that administers unemployment insurance, free job matching, workforce development programs, and labor market information for South Carolina job seekers, employers, veterans, youth, and returning citizens.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Human Resource Programs (except Education, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs Programs) (92313), Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Employment Services (5613), Administration of Human Resource Programs (9231)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Labor & Employment Administration (Workforce Regulation & Programs) (BPAIAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unemployment Insurance & Employment Support Benefits (BPAIAKAB), Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL), Workforce Compliance & Employment Law Risk Management (Local Labor Law, Tax, Statutory) (BPACAHAH)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Unemployment insurance administration
• Labor market information
• Job matching platform
• Employer tax services

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia, SC

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Unemployment Insurance Tax: State agency funded primarily through employer unemployment insurance taxes. Employers pay UI taxes based on their experience rating to fund unemployment benefits for eligible workers.
2. Federal Government Appropriations: Federal funding through various workforce development acts and programs including WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) and disaster unemployment assistance grants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce administers the state's unemployment insurance program, operates a free statewide job matching platform (SC Works Online Services), manages employer UI tax accounts, publishes labor market information, and coordinates workforce development programs including youth employment, veteran services, and second-chance hiring initiatives. The agency delivers these services through physical SC Works centers, proprietary online portals, mobile outreach units, and partnerships with employers and educational institutions across South Carolina.

Product overview

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) provides a comprehensive suite of workforce development services through multiple integrated platforms and programs. The core infrastructure includes browser-based portals for unemployment insurance (MyBenefits), employer tax management (SUITS), and employer self-service (ESS), alongside SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) as the state's primary job matching platform. Specialized services target specific populations: the Youth Employment Site (YES) for teenage job seekers, the STAYS Program for veterans, the Second Chance Program for returning citizens, and FindYourFuture.sc.gov as a consolidated education-workforce resource portal. Career readiness is supported through WIN Learning credential partnerships, while the Labor Market Information division provides statewide employment analytics. The SC@Work campaign and Explore SC@Work initiative promote workforce awareness through career spotlights and employer recognition programs. Regional Workforce Advisors serve as the local outreach arm connecting educators, employers, and job seekers across the state's workforce system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SC@Work: Workforce campaign showcasing jobs and career pathways in South Carolina
• Youth Employment Site (YES)
• Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders
• MyBenefits
• SUITS
• SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)
• FindYourFuture.sc.gov
• Explore SC@Work
• STAYS Program

Products and services

• MyBenefits Portal Online self-service portal for individuals to apply for unemployment insurance, certify weekly claims, download 1099-G tax forms, and manage their unemployment insurance account.
• SUITS (State Unemployment Insurance Tax System) Employer-facing online tax system for managing unemployment insurance tax accounts, filing returns, and making UI tax payments in compliance with South Carolina requirements.
• Employer Self-Service (ESS) Portal Web portal enabling employers to manage unemployment insurance accounts, respond to claims, view charge statements, and access employer tax information.
• SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) State's largest virtual job matching platform enabling job seekers to search and apply for jobs, upload resumes, and set employer alerts, and enabling employers to post vacancies statewide.
• Youth Employment Site (YES) Job Board Mobile-friendly job board specifically designed for teenage job seekers with no prior work experience, featuring employer search by zip code, age, and experience level.
• SC Works Centers Physical one-stop workforce centers providing job search assistance, resume writing support, skills training referrals, career counseling, and employer connections throughout South Carolina.
• Labor Market Information (LMI) Division Produces employment situation reports, occupational supply gap analyses, wage data, and labor force statistics for South Carolina to support workforce and economic decision-making.
• FindYourFuture.sc.gov Statewide portal bringing together state and private organizations to consolidate and streamline education and workforce resources for South Carolina residents.
• Workforce Pell Program Federal Pell Grant expansion program enabling eligible students to use Pell funds for short-term workforce training programs administered through DEW.
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Program Federal tax credit program administered by DEW for employers hiring individuals from targeted groups facing barriers to employment.
• STAYS Program (Stay to Apply Your Skills) Veteran employment initiative directly connecting veterans and veteran spouses with structured interviews at participating South Carolina employers.
• Second Chance Program Collaborative program with S.C. Department of Corrections and S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services helping returning citizens build essential skills and find employment upon reentry.
• Operation Palmetto Employment Partnership with the S.C. National Guard streamlining and increasing the efficiency of the employment process for South Carolina's military community transitioning to civilian careers.
• WIN Learning Career Readiness Credentials Partnership offering Professional Skills Credential (Essential Soft Skills and Digital Literacy assessments) and WIN Work Ready Credential for demonstrating workplace readiness to employers.
• SC Works Career Coach Mobile unit bringing workforce services, job search resources, and career exploration experiences directly to communities across South Carolina.
• SC@Work Rural Connections Rural outreach initiative actively engaging with job seekers in rural South Carolina communities and connecting them with employment opportunities throughout the state.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record employment of 2,554,577 South Carolinians as of June 2026
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The CitadelminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Hosting rover competition for Operation Space Talk SC program connecting middle school students with the International Space Station.
• South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Providing livestream support for Operation Space Talk SC event when students make contact with the International Space Station.
• SC Army National GuardminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partner in Operation Space Talk SC program, hosting rover competition component at Charleston location.
• Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Grant program connecting students with crew members on the International Space Station, providing STEAM learning opportunities.
• Dooley PlanetariumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Facilitating amateur radio and rover training for educators as part of Operation Space Talk SC program.
• Trident Amateur Radio ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Implementing classroom curriculum and constructing amateur radio station with satellite tracking capabilities for Operation Space Talk SC.
• Fred Wilson (Former NASA Employee)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024STEM consultant leading rover education components, classroom training, and final rover competition.
• WIN LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Partnership providing career readiness solutions including Professional Skills Credential, Essential Soft Skills Assessment, Digital Literacy Assessment, and WIN Job Analysis tool for employers.
• Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Agencies collaborating under the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act through the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development to implement the Unified State Plan.
• Lt. Governor Pamela EvettecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Joint partnership to promote youth employment and the Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders initiative. Collaborated on launching the Youth Employment Site (YES) job board and youth employment resources.
• Greenville Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Technical college partner in BMW Scholars Program providing manufacturing-related education alongside apprenticeship.
• Spartanburg Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Technical college partner in BMW Scholars Program providing manufacturing-related education alongside apprenticeship.
• Tri-County Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Technical college partner in BMW Scholars Program providing manufacturing-related education alongside apprenticeship.
• Midlands Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner college in Michelin Scholars Program providing education alongside workforce development.
• S.C. Department of CorrectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for Second Chance program helping returning citizens build essential skills for employment upon reentry.
• S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for Second Chance program helping returning citizens build essential skills for employment upon reentry.
• Society for Human Resources Management (Columbia Chapter)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHR volunteers conducting mock interviews for incarcerated individuals as part of Second Chance program job readiness training.
• S.C. National Guard (Operation Palmetto Employment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStreamlining and increasing efficiency of employment process for South Carolina's military community through Operation Palmetto Employment.
• South Carolina Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual co-host of Workforce Development Symposium and partner in workforce development initiatives.
• SC Works SystemcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of workforce development centers providing comprehensive employment services to job seekers and employers throughout South Carolina.
• State Workforce Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning board providing strategic direction for workforce development initiatives and programs.
• Local Workforce Development BoardscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional boards (Upstate, Midlands, Pee Dee, Lowcountry, etc.) managing workforce development activities in their respective areas.
• Be Pro Be Proud SCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobile workshop introducing middle and high school students to skilled careers and career pathway exploration.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Georgia Department of Labor: Regional southeastern state labor agency administering UI, job matching, and workforce programs; directly comparable peer with similar manufacturing-heavy economy to SC.
• New York State Department of Labor: New York's state labor agency administering UI, job banks, and workforce development programs under WIOA; functionally equivalent to SC DEW with comparable statutory role and service mix.
• Texas Workforce Commission: Texas's state workforce agency with parallel responsibilities for UI tax administration, workforce development, and labor market information; serves as the closest large-state structural peer to SC DEW.
• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity: Florida's state agency managing Reemployment Assistance (UI), workforce programs, and labor market data; directly comparable as another sun-belt state workforce entity with similar employer demographics.
• California Employment Development Department (EDD): California's state workforce agency administering UI, job matching, and workforce development with a much larger population base; directly comparable state-government peer operating the same core mission in a different state.

Regional players

• North Carolina Department of Commerce (Workforce Division): North Carolina's workforce division providing comparable UI, NCWorks job matching, and workforce development services; operates in adjacent southeastern geography with overlapping employer base.

Others

• National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA): Industry association representing state workforce agencies including DEW; provides policy coordination, UI system interoperability, and cross-state best-practice sharing that shapes DEW's operating environment.
• Indeed: Private-sector job board competing with SCWOS for employer job postings and job seeker attention; adjacent competitor in the same job-matching space but without UI administration.
• U.S. Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics: Federal counterpart providing labor market information, workforce policy oversight, and federal funding (WIOA, Workforce Pell) that flows to state agencies like SC DEW; ecosystem relationship rather than direct competition.
• LinkedIn: Private-sector professional network competing with SCWOS and YES for recruiter and job seeker mindshare; adjacent in workforce matching with broader geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SCDEWinfo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChlual2_-yRuKdgTwcIMmLQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/scdepartmentofemploymentandworkforce
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sc-dept-of-workforce-and-employment
• Instagraminstagram.com/scdew_info

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce