The Greenville Area has a potential labor pool consisting of the following groups:
The Unemployed
In 2008, the average annual unemployment rate was 5.7% in Greenville County, 5.9% in the Greenville MSA and 6.8% in the Upstate Region. The average number of unemployed persons was 12,665 in Greenville County, 18,822 in the MSA and 43,802 in the Upstate. The unemployed consists of those people that who do not have a job and are actively seeking employment.
Persons Reaching Employment Age
One of the largest groups of potential employees is considered to be those turning 18 each year in the Upstate. Over 11,000 students in the upstate graduate each year from high school. Of those graduating from high school, about 73.5% will continue on with their education. Most of the remaining graduates will enter the workforce.
College Students
Those attending colleges in the Upstate account for an enrollment of almost 80,000. These students are potential interns, co-op partners, as well as part-time and seasonal employees. This pool of talent provides companies a low-cost alternative for high quality white-collar support positions.
College and Tech Graduates
Upstate South Carolina Colleges and Universities produced 10,617 graduates in 2007-2008. Technical Colleges and two-year colleges produced another 2,701 graduates each year.
Other Sources of Labor
Commuting Patterns
The 2000 Census showed that 23,535 residents commuted to jobs outside of Greenville County. Experience shows that workers in this group would take comparable jobs closer to home if given the opportunity.
The 2000 Census showed that 23,535 residents commuted to jobs outside of Greenville County. Experience shows that workers in this group would take comparable jobs closer to home if given the opportunity. The Under-Employed
The under-employed represent a large sector of potential employees. These employees work 40 hours per week in jobs in which they are over-qualified. As a group, they have a strong work ethic and are among the first to respond to more rewarding job opportunities. In 2006, Pathfinders reported the skills of 68,900 underemployed persons in the I-85 Corridor region.
Persons Who Would Consider Re-entering Work Force
A 2009 Pathfinders Report estimates that 9,400 individuals in the Greenville MSA, who are not currently employed or actively seeking work, would consider re-entering the workforce. This group is mostly female (75 percent), generally well-educated and fully capable of entering the workforce, given sufficient opportunity and motivation.
The Under-Employed
The under-employed represent a large sector of potential employees. These employees work 40 hours per week in jobs in which they are overqualified. As a group, they have a strong work ethic and are among the first to respond to more rewarding job opportunities. In 2009, Pathfinders reported the skills of 81,800 underemployed persons in the Greenville MSA.
Job Losses
