THE WORKS Podcast

Find Your Future

The Works podcast is hosted by William Floyd, the Executive Director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) and Chair of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD). The purpose of this podcast is to provide a platform for short, impactful conversations with CCWD partners, workforce leaders, industry experts, and public officials who help strengthen our state’s economy and labor force. 

  1. 3 days ago ·  Video

    Episode 14: Manufacturers

    Send us Fan Mail As we recognize October as National Manufacturing Month, Director William Floyd sits down with Andy Carr, President and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), for an insightful conversation about his career path and SCMEP’s impact on South Carolina’s manufacturing workforce. President Carr shares how his journey from Scotland to the Upstate shaped his understanding of industry needs and how SCMEP helps small and medium‑sized manufacturers stay competitive through consulting, training, and strategic support. The discussion highlights the evolving nature of manufacturing, the importance of durable skills, and the role of technology in shaping modern workplaces. President Carr also emphasizes SCMEP’s mission as a connector, bringing the voice of hundreds of manufacturers into statewide workforce conversations through the CCWD. He and Director Floyd explore how community engagement, employer involvement, and strong partnerships help build a pipeline that supports both current and future workforce demands. Subscribe to The Works podcast via BuzzSprout or Find Your Future social media accounts to be the first to hear about new episodes! For additional information about career pathways, workforce programs, and employment resources across South Carolina, please visit https://findyourfuture.sc.gov Connect with Find Your Future SC on social media for updates, resources, and workforce initiatives: Instagram: @fyf_sc Twitter: @FYFSC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindYourFutureSC/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/find-your-future-sc/ YouTube: @findyourfuturesc Follow along to stay informed about opportunities supporting South Carolina’s current and future workforce.

  2. 13 Oct ·  Video

    Episode 13: Vocational Rehabilitation

    Send us Fan Mail October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, and this episode of The Works Podcast highlights the vital role vocational rehabilitation plays in strengthening South Carolina’s workforce.  In this episode, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director and Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) Chair William Floyd welcomes Felicia Johnson, Commissioner of the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department (SCVRD) and CCWD member, for an insightful conversation about her journey and the agency’s impact across the state. Commissioner Johnson shares how starting as a student intern at Vocational Rehabilitation ultimately led her to becoming Commissioner, and how internships continue to play a vital role in helping students discover career paths and helping employers identify strong talent.  The conversation highlights the work of SCVRD, including its mission to help individuals with disabilities gain or maintain competitive employment, and how partnerships with businesses and colleges support job readiness, soft skills development, and long-term career success. Chairman Floyd and Commissioner Johnson also discuss their recent visits to employers and programs such as Marwin and the USC Aiken LIFE Program, where they witnessed firsthand the power of inclusion and the importance of preparing students with disabilities for independent living and meaningful work opportunities.  Watch now on YouTube at youtu.be/so8zDBPdB_A, listen on your favorite streaming platform, and explore all episodes at findyourfuture.sc.gov/theworks. For additional information about career pathways, workforce programs, and employment resources across South Carolina, please visit https://findyourfuture.sc.gov Connect with Find Your Future SC on social media for updates, resources, and workforce initiatives: Instagram: @fyf_sc Twitter: @FYFSC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindYourFutureSC/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/find-your-future-sc/ YouTube: @findyourfuturesc Follow along to stay informed about opportunities supporting South Carolina’s current and future workforce.

  3. 30 Sept ·  Video

    Episode 12: The Value in Collaboration

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director and Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) Chair William Floyd welcomes back Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant, Director of the Office of State Workforce Development (OSWD), for an engaging retrospective on the most recent CCWD meeting. Dr. Battle-Bryant shares how the reinvigoration of the Coordinating Council has increased collaboration between educators and employers, and how staying aligned with the Unified State Plan continues to strengthen South Carolina’s workforce. The conversation showcased the progress made by the CCWD, starting with the status of the Find Your Future (FYF) portal – a virtual, interactive platform that helps South   Carolinians connect to personalized education, training, and employment opportunities tailored to them – and the progress each committee is making on its annual deliverables. Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant and Chairman Floyd shared insights from a thought-provoking panel discussion with three young men now employed by the businesses where they interned, who discussed how their early internship experiences helped them develop the foundational skills necessary for long-term career success. Dr. Battle-Bryant shared how the panelists highlighted the importance of durable/soft skills and how educators can connect curriculum to skills employers are seeking, and the impact of mentoring the younger generation.  Watch now on YouTube at youtu.be/vNICffsmLOg and explore all episodes at findyourfuture.sc.gov/theworks. For additional information about career pathways, workforce programs, and employment resources across South Carolina, please visit https://findyourfuture.sc.gov Connect with Find Your Future SC on social media for updates, resources, and workforce initiatives: Instagram: @fyf_sc Twitter: @FYFSC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindYourFutureSC/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/find-your-future-sc/ YouTube: @findyourfuturesc Follow along to stay informed about opportunities supporting South Carolina’s current and future workforce.

  4. 31 Aug ·  Video

    Episode 10: Hospitality and Tourism with Duane Parrish

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Executive Director and Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) Chair William Floyd sits down with Duane Parrish, Director of South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism (PRT), for a deep dive into one of the state’s most powerful economic engines: hospitality and tourism. Parrish reflects on how his very first job at a Columbia hotel sparked a lifelong passion for hospitality and tourism and how the industry today supports more than 240,000 jobs and contributes over $30 billion in economic impact across South Carolina. He continues by sharing how early work experiences help young people build confidence, why soft skills like communication and problem-solving remain essential, and how statewide efforts such as the Find Your Future website and collaboration among the CCWD are creating clear pathways for jobseekers.  Parrish also highlights the wide range of career opportunities in tourism, from hotels, restaurants, and attractions to film production, state parks, aquariums, and outdoor recreation, showing just how many ways individuals can build a fulfilling career in this growing field. For additional information about career pathways, workforce programs, and employment resources across South Carolina, please visit https://findyourfuture.sc.gov Connect with Find Your Future SC on social media for updates, resources, and workforce initiatives: Instagram: @fyf_sc Twitter: @FYFSC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindYourFutureSC/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/find-your-future-sc/ YouTube: @findyourfuturesc Follow along to stay informed about opportunities supporting South Carolina’s current and future workforce.

  5. 13 Jul ·  Video

    Episode 8: Partnerships & Internships with Jess Key

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director and Chair of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development, William Floyd, sits down with Jess Key of Newport News Shipbuilding to discuss the company's workforce needs, career opportunities, and the importance of building strong talent pipelines for South Carolina's future. Key shares how partnerships between industry, education, and workforce organizations help connect jobseekers with high-demand careers while supporting one of the nation's leading shipbuilding companies. The conversation also explores the skills employers are looking for, the value of apprenticeship and training programs, and how collaboration is creating pathways to long-term career success. Watch now on YouTube at youtu.be/Phbs7i20b3Q, listen on your favorite streaming service or BuzzSprout at bit.ly/4vjtGKd, and explore all episodes and resources at findyourfuture.sc.gov/theworks For additional information about career pathways, workforce programs, and employment resources across South Carolina, please visit https://findyourfuture.sc.gov Connect with Find Your Future SC on social media for updates, resources, and workforce initiatives: Instagram: @fyf_sc Twitter: @FYFSC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindYourFutureSC/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/find-your-future-sc/ YouTube: @findyourfuturesc Follow along to stay informed about opportunities supporting South Carolina’s current and future workforce.

  6. 9 Jun

    Episode 7: Reimagining the CCWD with Jay West

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director and Chair of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD) William Floyd sits down with Jay West, former South Carolina Representative and now Director of Government Affairs and Executive Advisor for the Office of Regulatory Staff. West reflects on his early role in helping reimagine the CCWD and shaping the vision behind South Carolina’s Unified State Plan (USP), including a statewide portal that is in development. The conversation also highlighted how CCWD leaders across the state worked together to build the USP and set the stage for South Carolina’s new portal, which will be a virtual, interactive platform that helps South Carolinians connect to personalized education, training, and employment opportunities tailored to them. Watch now on YouTube at youtu.be/12uloutAt4g and explore all episodes and resources at www.findyourfuture.sc.gov/theworks. For more information on career pathways, workforce programs, and employment resources across South Carolina, visit https://findyourfuture.sc.gov. For additional information about career pathways, workforce programs, and employment resources across South Carolina, please visit https://findyourfuture.sc.gov Connect with Find Your Future SC on social media for updates, resources, and workforce initiatives: Instagram: @fyf_sc Twitter: @FYFSC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindYourFutureSC/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/find-your-future-sc/ YouTube: @findyourfuturesc Follow along to stay informed about opportunities supporting South Carolina’s current and future workforce.

About

The Works podcast is hosted by William Floyd, the Executive Director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) and Chair of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD). The purpose of this podcast is to provide a platform for short, impactful conversations with CCWD partners, workforce leaders, industry experts, and public officials who help strengthen our state’s economy and labor force.