FAQs and Statistics

Business Community

I’m a business owner. Why should I become involved with an initiative directed at South Carolina’s students?

South Carolina has lost thousands of jobs to overseas competitors, and the state’s per capita income is lower than that of most neighboring states. To turn the state’s economy around, the government and business community must create higher wage jobs, and the education community must produce workers qualified to fill those jobs.

That’s where Personal Pathways to Success comes in. Through its programs, students will gain the knowledge, skills and character traits necessary to close the workforce gap. A better-educated workforce will raise the per capita income, increase productivity and help position South Carolina as a global competitor.

Also, as educational institutions collaborate more with business and industry, programs can be developed that align with the specific needs of the South Carolina economy.

How will this initiative affect the way I do business?

If you become an Ambassador, partner with a Regional Education Center (REC) or open your doors to student interns and apprentices, you will make valuable connections with these students and with your community. These connections will help attract the employees you need, help you generate more business and give your company well-deserved recognition.

As students graduate from high school, you will see the benefits of better-educated, better-prepared students coming to your business looking for employment. These graduates will have the knowledge, skills and character traits to help your business prosper.

How can I let students know that I have internships or apprenticeships available?

You can become a partner of one of the 12 RECs being created across the state. RECs are online meeting places where you can connect with students, educators and other groups and organizations to make your need for interns or apprentices known.



Do I have to pay students for their internships or apprenticeships?

On-the-job learning is an academic requirement for all students in Personal Pathways. Therefore, businesses are not required or expected to pay students for internships or apprenticeships. But there are no restrictions prohibiting you from compensating students.

Will I see a return on the investment I make by providing internships, apprenticeships and job-shadowing opportunities to students?

Your investment will produce civic as well as personal returns. Providing high school students training and support will produce a better-educated, better-prepared workforce that will improve the state’s economy and quality of life. More personally, the students you give opportunities to today will become the employees you hire tomorrow.

When will I see results from this initiative?

South Carolina should see higher four-year high school graduation rates within the next few years as Personal Pathways programs begin to address the needs of students at all ability levels. The per capita income will improve as Personal Pathways students graduate and improve the workforce.

By the time the initiative is fully implemented in 2011, the state’s economy should begin feeling the effects of Personal Pathways graduates.

As a member of the business community, what more can I do to ensure the success of this initiative?

The involvement and support of the business community is critical to the success of Personal Pathways. Here are some ways business owners and community leaders can help:

• Become an Ambassador and spread the word about Personal Pathways.
• Volunteer your business or organization to partner with a
  Regional Education Center.
• Open your doors to students seeking opportunities for on-the-job learning.

To partner with a Regional Education Center and become an Ambassador, contact Jennifer Tucker at 336.812.2065 or ambassador@scpathways.org.