Currently the unemployment rate in Fairfield County is 8.5 percent, when the closings take place, it is estimated that the rate will rise to between 12 and 13 percent.
An early February shutdown is anticipated for the Winnsboro Division of Plastech Engineered Products, which produces molded items for the automobile industry. Perry Ellis clothing distribution center is expected to close its doors in early April.
“Years ago no form of local government had any assumed or appointed authority to do anything about employment in the local community,” County
Administrator Phil Hinely said. “Fast forward about 36 years and there is a lot of expectation now for local governments to create jobs and help sustain jobs in the community.”
Workforce Development
The regional Workforce Development Boards and their efforts are funded with federal dollars. The money is allocated based on economic conditions.
“What we and the Employment Security Commission, combined with the Midlands Workforce Development Board have done is commit to the residents of Fairfield County getting the services that they truly need,” South Carolina Workforce Development Board Deputy Executive Director Steven Marshall said.
It is imperative, he believes, that the skills of these employees are identified quickly so that they may be directed to companies that are, or potentially are, hiring. Those needing retraining will also be offered that opportunity.
Workforce Development services and the length of services to individuals depend on the skills that they possess.
“We have different people coming into our system,” Marshall said. “Some are unemployed. Some are under employed. Some are just finishing school, whether it is high school, tech school or college. We invite all of them to come in so that we can assess their skills.”
WorkKeys Assessments
According to information supplied by the Midlands Workforce Development Board, more employers in the state are requiring WorkKeys skills
assessments as part of their hiring process.
“South Carolina has also implemented a program to improve the skill levels of the workforce statewide,” a document reads. “Part of this program involves issuing South Carolina’s Career Readiness Credential. The credential is earned when you take the WorkKeys Assessments and receive qualifying scores in three core skills. The core three assessments are Locating Information, Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics.”
What is happening?
“We have had approximately 10 employers call to get a clear summary of the skills that these individuals possess,”Marshall said. “We are looking to have a job fair sometimes in mid - to late February for these individuals.
Marshall is most concerned about those people who possess outdated skills.
“That is why we need to set up a transition center where we can be with those people for a longer period of time,” he said.
Midlands Workforce Development Board Director Bonnie Austin is seeking a grant to provide “rapid response” services to those affected in Fairfield County.
“We are still in negotiations (with the Department of Commerce) as to whether that grant will be awarded,” Marshall said. “We hope to hear an answer as soon as possible.”
Negotiations are also underway with the landlord of property next to the One Stop Job Service office in Winnsboro to have office space specifically devoted to providing services to the displaced workers from Plastech and Perry Ellis.
Immediate concerns have also been addressed such as helping Plastech employees sign up for unemployment benefits and assessments of work skills.
“We are going to be coming through the private employees in this area and talk about WorkKeys and the potential for writing an on - the - job training contract,” Marshall said.
Under an on - the - job training agreement, the company is reimbursed during the time the person is training. After the training period, it would be up to the employers to determine whether the person can make a successful transition into the business.
“All indications that I?get is that there are a lot of good skill sets in these individuals,” Marshall said.
At least three affected employees have already found jobs which will use the skills that they are using in their phased out employment.
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