New Facility to Boost Job Opportunities for South Carolinians
In recent years, South Carolina has seen significant investments from manufacturers, promising thousands of jobs for its residents. One notable example is Scout Motors, which is constructing a major facility north of Columbia, a project valued at several billion dollars. The facility will focus on assembling electric trucks and SUVs, with production slated to start in 2027, potentially generating around 4,000 new jobs.
Cornerstone Workforce Training Facility
As part of its preparation, Scout Motors has initiated pre-hire training at the new Cornerstone workforce training facility, located approximately 10 miles from the main site. This facility is designed to ensure that future employees receive the necessary training and assessments. Clarice Henderson, Vice President of Human Resources for Scout Motors, highlighted the importance of this initiative in assessing new maintenance staff and preparing them for production roles.
Support from Local and State Leaders
On a recent Thursday, Governor Henry McMaster, along with other state and local leaders, toured the newly opened Cornerstone facility. The facility, which cost $5 million, was funded through contributions from Richland County, the South Carolina Technical College System, and state financing. A portion of this funding stems from a substantial $1.3 billion incentive package approved by the General Assembly in 2023 to attract Scout Motors to the state.
- Facility Name: Cornerstone Workforce Training Facility
- Investment Amount: $5 million
- Jobs Created: 4,000
- Start of Production: 2027
- Incentive Package: $1.3 billion
Richland County Council Chair Jesica Mackey emphasized the need for local residents to be prepared for the upcoming job opportunities, stating, “We want to make sure that our residents right here in South Carolina are ready and trained to get those jobs.”
Importance of workforce training
Cornerstone is part of readySC, the workforce training division of the South Carolina Technical College System. A similar training center operates in the Lowcountry, where companies like Volvo train their employees. Midlands Technical College and Trident Technical College collaborate with these facilities to ensure high-quality workforce development.
Scout Motors indicated that the establishment of the Cornerstone facility and its partnership with readySC were critical factors in their decision to invest in South Carolina, favoring it over other states. South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey noted, “This model has been imitated in other states, but South Carolina does it best.”
Ensuring Employment for South Carolinians
Tim Hardee, president of the Technical College System, mentioned that readySC has a remarkable history of integrating new companies into the state. “On average, 97% of the jobs go to South Carolinians,” Hardee affirmed, underscoring the program’s effectiveness.
State leaders view these developments as an improvement in quality of life for residents. Governor McMaster stated, “We have the people and the ingredients; we just need a place like this to inspire them.” The Cornerstone facility aims to equip South Carolinians with the skills needed in today’s competitive job market.
