Tag: SC Jobs

Aim Higher SC: Lieutenant Governor Evette’s September 2024 Email Update

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette brings her supporters, friends, and the people of South Carolina her 3rd Quarter e-mail update. As we head towards the presidential election, it’s an incredibly busy time! Here are just a few highlights on the RNC, supporting President Trump, honors / recognition, fighting for S.C. kids and families, S.C. business features (large & small), S.C. non-profits who are making a difference, and a few personal updates.

Below is September 2024’s opening message from Lt. Gov. Evette.

A Message from Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

Every day, I feel blessed beyond measure to serve the people and the businesses of South Carolina. No matter where my travels take me, I’m alway quick to brag on the many South Carolinians who work hard, do good, and aim higher.

This truly is the best place to live, work, and raise a family — for which we owe a great deal to our men and women in uniform. I ask you to join me in thanking our law enforcement officers and military members today and at every opportunity.

As we get closer to the general election on Nov. 5th, I ask you to remain strong in your commitment to the conservative values that keep S.C. winning! Remember to vote Republican up and down the ballot. Let’s bring this thing home. Thank you for all you do!

Lt. Governor Pamela S. Evette

Lt. Gov. Evette talks school choice, youth employment, energy in North Augusta

By Elizabeth Hustad originally posted on Sept 25, 2024 by the Post and Courier North Augusta Star

She credits a first job working for Dairy Queen – earning $2.10 an hour and her mother advising that she better save half of it – with laying the foundations for success, both in business and in politics.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette was in North Augusta on Sept. 17, speaking before Chamber of Commerce members and promoting school choice and youth employment as integral in South Carolina’s future economic competitiveness.

Evette said that DQ job taught her about the value of money and the value of saving, and about working with others and, sometimes, with difficult others.

But now, the nation is at its lowest point for youth employment, she said – kids aren’t excited about working and they’re not learning the foundational lessons taught in those first jobs.

About 55% of all 16- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. were working in July this year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, though July is also statistically the peak as many of these youth take on summer jobs that are dropped when school is back in session.

By another measure, the youth labor force participation rate – those who are able to work and are doing so – was about 60 percent in July, or just under the nation’s overall participation rate for all working age citizens but significantly below the 83% for workers in the 25-54 age group.

Gov. Henry McMaster’s Workforce Scholarships for the Future, begun in November 2021, is meant to reskill and employ South Carolinians through leveraging the state’s technical college system.

But that initiative, though successful in training more than 32,000 of nurses, welders, forklift operators and commercial drivers – among others – also left “a vacuum,” Evette said.

That vacuum was the entry-level jobs not being filled by young South Carolinians: the DQ jobs that teach the first lessons.

Evette and McMaster have partnered with the state’s Department of Employment and Workforce to launch the “YES” initiative to ease entry into the job market for today’s youth.

The Youth Employment Site allows businesses across the state to post their starter jobs and for youth to search the database by inputting their zip code and age and having returned to them the available jobs in their area that are suited to them.

But even the lessons of first jobs have to start at home and in education, Evette said.

“I firmly believe if a child can read, a child can learn; if a child can learn, a child can be anything they want to be,” she said.

Both Evette and Gov. McMaster are proponents of school choice and “a complete voucher system” that, she said, could be especially helpful for rural areas.

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But the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled a portion of a pilot program of vouchers unconstitutional: public money from the state’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund, the ruling said, cannot be used for private school tuition, though it may be put toward tutoring, materials and other supportive needs.

During her stop in North Augusta, Evette also touched on the energy crisis and its impacts to South Carolina’s economy.

The rolling blackout that almost was on Christmas Day in 2022 was the impetus for heightened focus at the General Assembly.

“We squeaked by. But it did send a loud message,” Evette said.

Six months after the scare, Gov. McMaster issued an executive order creating PowerSC, a working group to engage with the state’s energy stakeholders and “develop strategic plans to ensure South Carolina has the energy capacity to meet the needs of the state’s record-breaking economic development and population growth.”

“All the careers of the future, whether it comes as security or grid, AI – these are all big energy producers,” Evette said. And “South Carolina, we’re famous for manufacturing. Manufacturing requires energy.”

The state is also the fastest growing in the nation as far as population goes, at least according to 2023 estimates. South Carolina ranked 10th for the 2020 Census, having grown by 10 percent.

Doing “whatever we can at the state level to help our businesses continue to grow,” is paramount, Evette said. “We’re going to work on education. We’re going to work on our workforce. We’re working on energy. We’re trying to give you everything you need to make South Carolina grow.”

Speaking with reporters after her Chamber appearance, Evette acknowledged South Carolina’s No. 2 spot in this year’s Area Development Rankings, the second time the state has been runner-up to Georgia as best state to do business.

Evette said the No. 2 ranking was a show of “South Carolina’s fingerprints,” a reference to remarks she’d made just 30 minutes prior to the state’s manufacturing sector and its being home to some of the largest manufacturing plants in the country: wherever BMWs and Bridgestonetires are seen, that’s largely South Carolina production.

“And we’re just building,” she said. Investing in career opportunities that keep the “best and brightest” here and providing for ease of doing business –including basic hospitality – are big, she said.

More than offering a site to new industry, we stay with them, we connect them with our technical colleges, we work on getting them a workforce. And we’re with them all the way to the day they open up their door,” she said.

Evette will be back in North Augusta later this year, partnering with Major League Baseball as MLB hosts a kids baseball clinic at SRP Park.

Get kids excited about working, she said, but also get kids excited about getting outside and moving again (and leaving the phone behind).

SC. Lt. Gov talks growth, school choice, and youth jobs

by Shawn Cabbagestalk originally posted on September 17, 2024 by WJBF

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WJBF) — South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor, Pamela Evette, made a stop in North Augusta today. She spoke with the Chamber about economic development and celebrated local achievements.

Evette discussed the state’s efforts to address future energy needs, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead. “Making sure that we can think 30 years ahead into the future by creating more energy because to be able to grow and do what you guys are doing here. Working on cyber, working on the grid, all of that requires extra energy and a lot of it,” she said.

To make sure North Augusta’s projects are successful, the state is working with local lawmakers who understand the area’s needs. “That’s how we as state government find out what job careers we think will be deficient in the years to come and how we can put an emphasis on letting our young people know what jobs will be there for them when they come outta high school,” Lt. Evette added

She also highlighted her commitment to business and education, including advocating for school choice and improving technical colleges. Evette introduced the YES Initiative, a program designed to connect youth with local job opportunities and teach them essential skills. The program links young people to local jobs via a new website, helping them gain skills and learn financial responsibility. “Whether it’s in an ice cream shop or a coffee shop. Something that’s a great first job that teaches ’em soft skills, but more importantly teaches them fiscal responsibility,” she said.

Evette emphasized that South Carolina’s technical colleges offer valuable career opportunities and are key to attracting businesses to the state. “So the more we can diversify and bring different industries in from all over the globe, the more we can keep our kids. And as a mom, that’s really important to me to make sure that we have opportunities for all of our children right here,” she said.

Also, Evette is partnering with the Augusta GreenJackets for an MLB event aimed at getting kids excited about sports and encouraging outdoor activities. “They’ll have all the equipment there and they’ll be doing lessons, getting their kids excited about being outside. It’s a great thing,” Lt. Evette added. The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th at 10 a.m. at SRP Park.

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette Honored with Joseph H. Rainey Empowered Leadership Award

On September 12, 2024, South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Evette traveled to D.C. to participate in the annual 2024 LAMP National Summit where she was honored to receive the Joseph H. Rainey Empowered Leadership Award.

Named for Joseph H. Rainey, the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, this lifetime achievement award is given to honor an individual’s entire body of work in service of the center’s core values of advancing freedom, equality, and a more perfect union for all.

Lt. Governor Evette also had the pleasure of being interviewed by Sarah E. Hunt, President of the Rainey Center, discussing her decision to leave the business world and seek public office as well as her efforts on business growth, education, youth employment, workforce, and environmental stewardship while in office. You can watch the full interview below.

‘We need them’: South Carolina Lt. Gov. Evette highlights youth workforce in Florence visit

Originally posted on September 11 by Adrianna Lawrence on WBTW ABC News 13

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and members of the state Department of Employment and Workforce visited the Florence Family YMCA Tuesday afternoon, highlighting the importance of young people in the workforce.

Finding workers is one of the state’s top concerns, according to the SCDEW. Encouraging young people to get out and work will benefit employers and teach kids valuable life skills. 

When you walk through the doors of the Florence Family YMCA, you’re greeted by young workers, eager to learn, grow and, of course, make their own money. Some are as young as 13 years old. 

“I’ve learned that I have to have a lot of patience and that I need to always try to strive through to keep me going,” one young worker said.

Others are in high school and beyond. 

“Some sense of dependability by being on time and when I’m needed,” another young worker said. “I learn how to problem solve whenever there is like small conflict.”  

Another worker said: “My brother worked here, and my sister, so we’ve really been here for a long time. It just feels like family to me.”

The Youth Employment Initiative aims to provide a resource for young people to find jobs and help employers in need of workers. 

That’s where SCDEW and Evette come in to say young people are the next workforce. 

“Why do we want our young people working?” Evette said. “Because we need them. Your small businesses, your community businesses, those are the businesses that support your Little League teams and your soccer teams here at the Y. They need our help. They need our kids to get involved and get working.” 

Brian New, CEO of the Florence Family YMCA, said he’s seen firsthand how valuable starting work at a young age can be. 

“They come back to me and tell me what the Y has meant, what that first job meant to them and what they learned through that first job here,” New said.

SCDEW Executive Director William Floyd III said kids, some as young as 13, will pave the way for the next workforce. 

“This is great to know where workforce begins and begins with Madison and younger,” Floyd said.

New said the Florence Family YMCA is always hiring young people. You can find a full list of jobs, here.

Lieutenant Governor Evette and Congresswoman Nancy Mace headline DCRP event

By Brandon Roberts, originally posted in The Summerville Journal Scene on Sept 2, 2024

South Carolina leaders highlight conservative values at Faith, Family and Freedom Dinner

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and United States Rep. Nancy Mace headlined the 4th annual Dorchester County Republican Party Faith, Family and Freedom Dinner Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Dorchester Shrine Club in Summerville.

“The Faith, Family, and Freedom Dinner is a cornerstone event for the Dorchester County Republican Party, celebrating the core values that define our community and our nation,” said Steven Wright, DCRP chair. “Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Congresswoman Nancy Mace are two prominent leaders committed to advancing conservative principles and advocating for the interests of South Carolinians.”

Mace said she was honored to speak at the event and considers Dorchester County a special place.

“It’s good to be back,” Mace said in an interview with the Journal Scene. “Dorchester County helped bring us across the finish line. We won Dorchester County by over 30 points, and I’m grateful for that.

Mace said she did not have a prepared speech and planned to speak from her heart.

“I’ll probably talk a little bit about issues important to voters in Dorchester County,” she said. “I’ll talk about my faith a bit, and just be humble and thank everybody for their support and offer to help them in any way.”

In her speech, Mace discussed inflation, the border and women’s issues, which she called the “top issues in our district.” She also spoke about her role on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and its hearing about the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, which led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.

Evette said she was happy to attend the event for several reasons, including Wright, who she lauded as a “dedicated and involved” leader at such a young age.

“It’s really important to support the young people who are getting involved, especially the Republican Party, because that’s what we have to do,” she said. “A few minutes of my speech tonight will be about opening our doors and getting more young people involved. How do we merge our young Republicans with our local GOPs so that we can be the big tent party we want to be.”

Evette said when she speaks to younger people, she feels they don’t think they’re welcome.

“They just feel like it’s an elite club for an older group,” she said. “I think you got to make it fun. Get business done quickly, and then it’s a social hour when everybody becomes friends; it’s much easier to get together and do fun things.”

In her speech, Evette said it is no secret that Trump will win South Carolina, so she urged those I attended to help in neighboring states.

“We have swing states to the south and north of us,” she said, referring to Georgia and North Carolina. “We got to come together. We got to help Georgia. We got to help North Carolina. It’s tight. We need to talk about our policies. We have great policies. We saw the DNC. Not one policy was talked about. They talked about feelings but not facts.”

Wright also handed out the DCRP’s annual awards at the event. June Fleming received the award for Executive Committee Person of the Year, Janette Chipas received the Most Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Dorchester County Auditor J.J. Messervy was named Elected Official of the Year, and longtime Dorchester County Sheriff L.C. Knight was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

SC Lt. Gov. stops in Upstate, highlights teen workforce

By: Scarlett Lisjak, originally posted by WSPA on August 27, 2024

GRAY COURT, S.C. – South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette made a stop in the Upstate to highlight the importance of young people entering the workforce.

Lt. Governor Evette along with the state’s Department of Employment and Workforce visited ZF Transmissions Tuesday. The manufacturing business employs hundreds.

Evette highlighted why working in a place like ZF benefits young people.

“Advanced manufacturing is really cool and we have to figure out as adults how do we talk to our middle schoolers how do we talk to our high schoolers about the cool things that happen in facilities like this,” the Lt. Governor explained.

It’s all a part of the Lt. Governor’s “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders” initiative.

“Really encourage young people to get off the couch, put their cell phones and video games down and learn important skills that will make them successful in their future careers,” Evette said.

The Lt. Governor added that young people’s first job is where they develop skills that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

“The first job teaches us everything we need to know, it teaches us those soft skills, about how to we communicate with our fellow employees and our customers,” Evette said. “Things that businesses not just in our state, but across our country have been begging us for. Those soft skills that people coming out of college and entering the work force just don’t have.”

Preston McCreary is in an apprentice at ZF. McCreary said what he is learning there will make a positive impact on his future career.

“In today’s world it seems that education is very important, but experience might be more important,” McCreary said. “You need to know what to do, instead of how to do it.”

DEW tells us that they are actively helping to connect young people like Preston to employers across the Palmetto State.

“We have more people working today than we ever had, but we need more of them and tomorrow’s workforce is coming out of the schools right now. At DEW, we have regional workforce advisors who come along side parents, teachers and educators and put them together,” said William Floyd, the Executive Director at DEW.

ZF Transmissions offers an apprenticeship program so young people enrolled in a technical college can earn credits while they get on-the-job training and experience.

Greenwood Republican Party hosts SC Lt. Gov. Evette

Originally posted by Index-Journal on August 12, 2024

By MYA ATTEN

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette addressed the Greenwood County Republican Party during its August monthly meeting at Lander University.

On Monday, Evette urged the audience to come together, highlighting the importance of unity.

“South Carolina is a huge state when it comes to its impact on the world,” Evette said. “We are small but mighty and our impact is everywhere.”

Evette noted that South Carolina must increase its energy production to maintain growth and continue attracting new businesses.

State Rep. John McCravy thanked Evette for her efforts in floodwater prevention, her commitment to protecting South Carolina’s natural resources and for initiating the statewide “Grab a Bag” liter pickup challenge.

“Evette is one of the greatest advocates for our state,” McCravy said. “She was born in Ohio, but she has the South Carolina traditional values that we share.”

Evette reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for school choice and discussed key legislative actions from this year’s General Assembly.

Among the topics she highlighted were the “Help Not Harm” bill and legislation aimed at protecting children from online pornography.

“As parents, we need help,” Evette said. “There are so many things out there that we can’t monitor all on our own.”

Evette emphasized that her top priority is eliminating DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs from schools. She said she is a strong supporter of school choice.

“It’s a parent’s right and responsibility to determine the best educational path for their children,” Evette said.

Evette shared that during her first year as lieutenant governor, she made it a priority to visit any place that would host her, aiming to listen and learn.

“It was quite a leap for me,” Evettte said. “I went from owning a business to being lieutenant governor.

She also mentioned that she has enjoyed traveling to different parts of South Carolina and engaging in conversations about the diverse developments taking place across the state.

Evette has been South Carolina’s 93rd lieutenant governor since 2019, making her the first woman to ever hold the office in the state.

Aim Higher SC: Lieutenant Governor Evette’s June 2024 Email Update

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette brings her supporters, friends, and the people of South Carolina her 2nd Quarter e-mail update. April, May and June 2024 were very busy months — so here are just a few highlights on standing with President Trump, legislative wins, S.C. business features (large & small), S.C. non-profits who are making a difference, and a few personal updates.

Below is June 2024’s opening message from Lt. Gov. Evette.

A Message from Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

Serving as Lt. Governor of South Carolina is a tremendous honor. One of the best parts of my role is that I get to travel across our state and hear from South Carolinians — business leaders, workers, educators, youth, and more — on the things that matter to them.

This is a pivotal time in our state and our nation, so I am thankful to all of you for continuing  to work for a better and brighter future. You are making a difference! From the bottom of my heart — thank you.

Kindest Regards,

Lt. Governor Pamela S. Evette

Lt. Gov. visits Grand Strand to promote youth employment initiative

Originally published by WMBF News on June 18, 2024, by Steven Schlink

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette stopped in Myrtle Beach Tuesday morning to raise awareness for her new initiative, “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

“We want to get small businesses the help they need and we want to give kids the experience they need to be successful throughout their whole lives,” said Evette.

On May 1, Evette launched her new initiative in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. She said the idea started during her time as a small business owner.

“You know, we turn out amazing kids from college, a lot of them you’d be surprised, have never held a job,” she said. “And so they have a great 4-year degree. Sometimes they have a master’s. But they’ve never had work at all. Practical.”

She said it’s that first job where you develop essential skills, like communication, time management, and taking responsibility.

She said businesses like Myrtle Waves instill qualities in young folks like Valerie Martin, who has been with the park for five years.

“I’ve worked in admissions and I’ve been a lifeguard so I’ve kind of done it all,” said Martin. “Definitely customer service is the biggest one. Learning how to talk to people, how to communicate, how to do things on your feet fast. And then definitely with lifeguarding, life-saving skills.”

Evette said the ultimate goal is for these skills to translate into any career path a young person chooses.

According to Martin, her time at Myrtle Waves will help her achieve her future ambitions.

“I want to do something in the medical field, so I’ll definitely use all of my lifeguarding skills when I’m working,” she said.

Evette said the other large part of the initiative is a user-friendly job board, making it easy for businesses to post open positions, and comprehensive for young people to find jobs.

You can find that job board and all of the resources this initiative offers here.