UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA WORKFORCE
We take pride in the bright minds fueling today’s business success and the talent pipeline preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.
From STEAM education starting in early childhood to more than 25,800 higher education graduates each year, education is the foundation of the Upstate South Carolina workforce. And learning doesn’t stop at graduation. Companies across the Upstate benefit from apprenticeship programs, technical training support, and customized onboarding solutions designed to strengthen their workforce and support long-term growth.
South Carolina’s Workforce Training Programs
As a key component of South Carolina workforce training, readySC™ provides customized, low- or no- cost training solutions to qualifying companies relocating to or expanding in South Carolina. This includes a full range of services such as:
- Recruitment Solutions
- Curriculum Development & Training
- Instructors
- Training Site
- Project Management Approach
Complementing readySC, Apprenticeship Carolina™ guides companies through the registered apprenticeship process, helping build a pipeline of skilled talent through hands-on, paid training opportunities that align with workforce demand. Together, these programs are helping shape the future of the South Carolina workforce.
Elevating the Workforce Through Continued Education
Trade Schools and Technical Colleges
The SC Technical College System works hand-in-hand with its affiliate programs: readySC™, Apprenticeship Carolina™ and QuickJobs Carolina™, so companies located in the area can take full advantage of the extensive education and training network. The Upstate is home to four technical colleges, serving more than 27,700 students and providing customized technical training through readySC, as well as through degree and certificate programs educating students to meet the needs of regional employers. This collaborative approach ensures that the workforce in Greenville SC and surrounding areas remains highly skilled, adaptable, and equipped to support continued economic growth.
Learn more about the wealth of programs offered at these Upstate institutions:
Universities & Higher Education
Upstate South Carolina is home to 26+ colleges, universities and specialized institutions, including nationally ranked universities like Clemson University and the University of South Carolina Upstate.
From engineering and advanced manufacturing to healthcare and information technology, colleges and universities across the region produce qualified graduates ready to help companies across industries drive innovation and compete on a global scale.
Forward Looking Approach to Building a Strong Talent Pipeline
STEAM Initiatives – K-12
The Upstate invests early in its future workforce with region-wide STEAM education initiatives. Programs like the iMAGINE Upstate festival showcasing Upstate employers and career pathways and Science on the Move bringing activities to elementary schools across the region help inspire young learners.
The nationally recognized Pickens County Scholar Technician® program serves as another example of Upstate workforce development initiatives providing hands-on learning experiences, driving enrollment in technical training and helping connect companies with talent.
And, with industry partners informing training curriculum and equipment, Upstate students today learn on industrial machinery in use across the region.
Promise Programs and Technical Scholarships
Across the Upstate, local high school graduates have multiple routes to tuition-free postsecondary institutions through state funds, free tuition and public-private funded “Promise” programs offering tuition-free access to the area’s four technical colleges. The state of South Carolina also provides access to free tuition for high-demand occupations through the SCWINS (Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship).
Build Carolina: Boosting Technical Talent
Build Carolina is a statewide nonprofit that helps companies across South Carolina connect with tech talent like software developers, data analysts, and cloud engineers. Through demand-driven workforce training, the organization offers skill-building workshops, post-secondary credentials, and a competency-based Apprenticeship program that delivers structured, on-the-job training to strengthen the South Carolina workforce and close the gap between education and employment.
Recruiting Talent from Beyond the Region
Need to attract specialized or senior-level talent from outside the Upstate region? Move Upstate SC offers free talent recruitment tools that employers can use to showcase the opportunities and lifestyle offered in the Upstate.
With national rankings consistently recognizing Upstate South Carolina as one of the most beautiful, affordable, and desirable places to live in the U.S., the region offers a strong advantage for companies looking to attract and relocate top talent.
Demographics in Greenville, Spartanburg & the Upstate Region
The population of Upstate South Carolina is diverse, educated, and equipped to meet the needs of a growing economy. Here’s a snapshot of the region’s workforce and population data, with deeper insights available in our data center:
- Upstate SC Total Population: 1,590,636 (2023, from U.S. Census Bureau)
- Labor Force 762,506 (March 2025)
- Unemployment Rate: 3.9% (March 2025)
- Population with High School Diploma/GED: 87.1%
- Population with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 29.2%
- Prime Working Age Population (20–65): 599,725 or 37.7% of total population
Want to learn more about the workforce in Upstate SC and explore how customized training solutions can help your company grow? Get in touch with our team.