In partnership with SC Works Trident, the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) is hosting the inaugural “Your Next Step” career fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Charleston Area Convention Center to connect graduating high school seniors and the general public with in-demand career paths.
The event will be divided into two portions to serve target job seekers:
- 9 a.m.-noon: Graduating high school seniors. Registration is required and can be completed here.
- 1-3 p.m.: Open to the general public. Attendees may register at the event.
Graduating high school seniors from Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties will have the opportunity to network one-on-one with leading regional employers and explore in-demand career paths in the Tri-County region. Employers will be segmented by industry to allow attendees to focus on the area of most interest.
Employers from seven high-demand industries will be present: diversified manufacturing, health care, hospitality and tourism, information technology and business, transportation and logistics, and construction.
Companies registered for the event include Volvo Cars, MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Hilton Hotels, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Santee Cooper, Coca-Cola Consolidated and Hendrick Automotive. A complete list of employers can be found on the event website.
“We’re committed to ensuring our region remains a place for everyone to thrive and grow, regardless of their background,” said BCDCOG Workforce Development Director Sharon Goss. “This event goes beyond a job fair. We are focused on connecting our local workforce to the great career paths that exist here in our community. We look forward to welcoming high school seniors and job seekers at large as we strengthen our region together.”
Berkeley County Economic Development, Charleston County Economic Development, Dorchester County Economic Development and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce Regional Workforce Advisors supports the inaugural career fair.
“Berkeley County Economic Development is excited for the future of our local workforce,” said Berkeley County Economic Director John O. Williams. “This collaboration with our neighboring counties will show the variety of opportunities available to help our Tri-County community find the right path to a successful career.”
Charleston County Economic Development Executive Director Steve Dykes said the area's economy remains dependent on a skilled workforce.
“Regional collaboration and creating opportunities and exposure for our high school seniors will continue to foster a stronger future workforce for the Lowcountry," Dykes said. "Charleston County Economic Development is thrilled that this inaugural job fair will highlight career paths, ensuring a robust pipeline for our regional businesses.”
Dorchester County Director of Economic Development John Truluck said Dorchester County is grateful to collaborate with Berkeley and Charleston to produce a job fair of this magnitude.
“This event underscores the importance of a skilled workforce and the invaluable opportunities our community provides," Truluck said. "By connecting high school seniors and community members with local employers, we are building a stronger and more prosperous region.”
To maximize the benefits of the event, attendees should observe the following guidelines:
- Bring an updated resume to the hiring event
- Be prepared for an on-site interview
- Email updated resume to employers if needed
- Dress professionally
SC Works Trident is available to provide resume assistance to job seekers before the event. Those interested in this service can book an appointment with a career coach at scworkstrident.org/scheduler.
ABOUT SC WORKS TRIDENT
SC Works Trident comprises one-stop centers in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. It offers a variety of services to help employers and job seekers meet their workforce development needs. For the latest on SC Works, visit SCWorksTrident.org, Facebook or Twitter.
For details on the program funding in compliance with the Stevens Amendment, visit https://www.scworkstrident.org/.
