‘All available employment services in one location’

The newly created SC Works Upstate — formerly Upstate CareerSource and Employment Security Commission — hosted an open house to give members of the community a look at the many services it now offers.

The integration of offices took place in early August, but Roy Lowe, SC Works Upstate’s Union center manager, says many people still refer to the new office as “CareerSource” or “the unemployment office.” However, he believes that will soon change now that the new logo is up for everyone to see.

“Some people don’t fully understand what we do,” Lowe said. “We offer so much more than unemployment and the normal job search.”

Lowe said SC Works Upstate often hosts workshops to teach resume building, interview skills and other specialized job-hunting strategies. He invites anyone who is interested to come in and find out more about the services and resources available in the office.

“The integration provides people with the opportunity to receive all available employment services in one location,” he said.

SC Works Upstate provides job seekers and employers in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties with a central location to receive a wide array of workforce services. For the employer, some of these services include access and assistance with recruitment and pre-screening, using the state’s largest jobs database at no cost to the employer. For the job seeker, some of these services include guidance with unemployment insurance claims process, resume development, career and education planning, and a variety of workshops.

By working with SC Works and other partner agencies, customers are provided with valuable resources and services to fulfill their individual workforce needs. The primary goal of SC Works Upstate is to provide services to facilitate the attainment of meaningful employment, accomplished through making the connection between job seekers and employers.

Lowe said the community’s response to the integration has been positive thus far, and he pointed out that SC Works Upstate is getting results.

“We’ve been quite successful in finding work for those who truly want to find it,” he said.

About SC Works:

SC Works Upstate, under the direction of the Upstate Workforce Investment Board, is a coalition of agencies integrating all workforce development services. Serving residents and businesses of Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union Counties and the Greater Greer area, SC Works Upstate provides workforce support to both employers and job seekers. More information about SC Works Upstate is available at www.scworksupstate.com. SC Works is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

By Derik Vanderford, Staff Reporter with The Union Daily Times