Preparing South Carolina Students for What Comes Next
As South Carolina’s economy continues to change, the skills students need to succeed after high school are evolving as well. That reality was at the center of SC Competes’ TransformSC “State of the SC Profile” meeting held January 15 in Columbia, where education, workforce, and policy leaders gathered to examine how well South Carolina is preparing students for life beyond graduation, and how the state can better align education with workforce needs.
The discussion focused on the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, a statewide framework that defines the knowledge, skills, and life and career characteristics students should develop before leaving high school. The Profile is organized into three areas — World-Class Knowledge, World-Class Skills, and Life and Career Characteristics — and is embedded in South Carolina’s education standards and initiatives. Meeting participants reflected on how well the Profile aligns with current workforce expectations, particularly as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence continue to reshape jobs and industries.
What Employers Value Most
Research commissioned by SC Competes provided important context for the conversation. Dr. Brooke Culclasure of The Riley Institute at Furman University presented findings from three studies examining employer needs, student preparedness, and how well South Carolina measures durable skills.
One clear takeaway emerged across all studies: employers consistently value skills like work ethic, integrity, communication, and teamwork, often placing greater importance on these characteristics than on technical skills for entry-level positions. A statewide survey of more than 26,000 businesses found strong alignment between employer priorities and the industry success skills outlined in the Graduate Profile.
At the same time, the research revealed gaps in readiness. Educators rated students’ workforce preparedness at an average of 4.5 out of 10, and employers expressed concern about how long it takes new hires to adjust to workplace expectations. While many employers are willing to train workers to close skill gaps, they expect new employees to arrive with strong foundational skills and professional behaviors.
A Shared Responsibility for Readiness
The meeting underscored that preparing students for success is a shared responsibility among families, schools, and employers. Separate surveys of parents showed broad agreement that both families and schools play a role in developing durable skills. Employers also acknowledged their responsibility to provide training and support once students enter the workforce.
Participants emphasized the importance of experiential learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and other forms of work-based learning, as effective ways to help students develop employability skills and gain real-world experience before graduation. These experiences not only build confidence and competence, but also help students better understand workplace expectations.
Preparing for an AI-Ready Workforce
As technology continues to transform the workplace, the conversation also focused on preparing students for an AI-driven economy. Ivy Coburn of the Southern Regional Education Board highlighted the importance of developing a balanced skill set that includes core academic knowledge, industry baseline skills, and success skills such as communication, leadership, and collaboration.
Rather than replacing foundational learning, artificial intelligence makes strong literacy, math, and critical thinking skills even more essential. Participants also discussed the growing importance of data literacy and adaptability as students prepare for careers that may not yet exist.
Moving Forward Together
The TransformSC “State of the Profile” meeting reinforced a shared commitment to continuous improvement. As workforce needs evolve, South Carolina must continue to reflect, adapt, and collaborate to ensure every student graduates prepared for what comes next.
