South Carolina Department of Commerce
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Commerce Office of Innovation has partnered with two statewide nonprofit organizations, Build Carolina (which runs the SC Codes program) and the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (which houses SC Tech and CyberSec) to create a pilot fellowship program designed to prepare new graduates for software development careers.
Develop Carolina is a six-month program for students who have completed degree or certificate programs in computer science or a software development-related field. Fellows chosen to participate in the program will be paired up with a local technology company three days a week and will continue to learn as a cohort with other fellows the other two days a week.
“A talented digital workforce is key to fueling ingenuity and ensuring future economic success in South Carolina,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “Develop Carolina will help Team S.C. further develop the talent needed to prepare South Carolinians for both the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
“Our goal for Develop Carolina is to ensure both the fellows and participating companies will benefit from this program,” said Lelia King, executive director for Build Carolina. “Fellows will sharpen their technical and non-technical skills, meet with tech community leaders and collaborate on building a stronger talent base for South Carolina’s tech ecosystem. Companies will be better positioned to welcome talented new developers in a supported environment.”
“Talent acquisition is one of our biggest struggles in technology,” remarked Susie Shannon, President and CEO of the SC Council on Competitiveness. “We are excited to be part of Develop Carolina to offer another resource to our tech and cyber firms that are looking for experienced, motivated employees and to inspire computer science and technology students to pursue tech careers in South Carolina.”
The program will accept applicants this fall and host its first cohort of fellows in early 2022. Interested companies and students may fill out an interest form at developcarolina.org.
According to SC Tech’s 2020 Economic Impact Study, employment in the tech industry in South Carolina has grown to over 180,000 with an $89 billion total economic impact. Since 2000, the state has seen a 245% growth in the number of tech firms, now numbering over 2,000.
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About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina's leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
About Build Carolina
Build Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building talent initiatives to support innovative companies across the Carolinas. For more information, visit buildcarolina.org.
About the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness
The South Carolina Council on Competitiveness is a nonpartisan, business-led, nonprofit organization that drives South Carolina’s long-term economic growth by supporting the state’s key industry clusters and providing the research, network, and resources that industry clusters require to thrive. Learn more at www.sccompetes.org.