Employment and Workforce Executive Director Dan Ellzey’s Statement

January 2020 Employment Situation

“More jobs are available than people to fill them – that’s the reality as we look back at the growth from 2019 and look at the numbers of January 2020. South Carolina continues charting record levels of low unemployment while more people are earning paychecks than ever before.

“At this point in time, we face the challenge of dealing with the Coronavirus. It could certainly have an impact on the unemployment rate, job searches by applicants, hours worked, etc. At Employment and Workforce, we are preparing for this possibility and to ensure the safety of our own employees and the continuity of our services.

“However, just as we have done in the past several years when South Carolina has been challenged with an exceptional event, our agency remains poised and ready to assist individuals find or retain employment as well as help employers with their workforce needs.

“Our agency is built on the premise of helping people and businesses overcome employment challenges and, should we need them, we will provide additional tools and resources as required,” said Dan Ellzey, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

About the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency has four missions: (1) workforce development; (2) free job match employment services; (3) unemployment insurance; and (4) labor market information. All four missions contribute to workforce development. The agency is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services and programs that meet the needs of our businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.