Charleston, Greenville fare better than capital city
By Sarah Peterman
Columbia sits in the middle of the state in many ways.
The city is located between Charleston and Greenville not only in physical location but in regards to statistics, as well. The city’s population, per capita income and unemployment rate all lie between Charleston’s and Greenville’s.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11.6 percent of South Carolinians are unemployed. While the unemployment rates in South Carolina’s three major cities are marginally better, Columbia seems the least equipped to deal with it.
Charleston, with an unemployment rate of 9 percent, has a unique economy to help keep unemployment low and provide those looking for jobs with many opportunities.
“We have the advantage of having a huge medical complex, a big tourist draw, a military influence and we’re a port city,” said Gloria Purcell, owner of A-Plus Staffing,
Jonathan Oakman, director of business services for the City of Charleston, said the Lowcountry’s varied market helps keep unemployment rates lower than other cities in the state.
“Charleston has a lot to work with in terms of diversity in the business community,” said Oakman. “Other economies are not quite as diversified.”
Oakman said Charleston has chosen to focus on business development as a means of curbing unemployment.
“Our goal is to give businesses what they need to thrive and grow,” said Oakman.
While Charleston benefits from a diverse economy, Greenville benefits from specialization in industrial manufacturing.
Though the unemployment rate is 10.2 percent, the highest of the three major cities, experts said the specialized industry helps those looking for jobs know where to begin.
“While the manufacturing industry has been hit hard by the current recession, I think there will be a greater need than ever in the future for technical service workers in the automotive industry,” said Chris Borke, a client service representative with Phillips Staffing.
With BMW and the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (formerly the Donaldson Center Industrial Air Park, or ICAR), both located in Greenville there are many technical positions available at a variety of skill levels.
Columbia, however, has neither of the advantages that Charleston and Greenville rely on.
“There is not as much big business or industry in Columbia as in other parts of the state,” said Kris Wilkins, a recruiting manager for Kelly Services.
Nearly 34,600 people in the city of Columbia face unemployment as their daily reality.
Wilkins said the unemployed should begin with obtaining the necessary educational requirements, skills and certifications needed for jobs. She also noted that many people who have all of the necessary skills are still unable to find employment. Wilkins said then people must go back to basics.
“People just have to be persistent, network and be open-minded to different salaries and job descriptions,” said Wilkins. Arriving 15 minutes early for an interview, having a clean resume, dressing professionally and writing a thank you note after the interview are also good ways to leave a positive impression on your potential employer.
Jim Gambrell, director of the City of Columbia economic development division, said those looking for work should try to focus on Columbia’s clusters, or prominent groups of businesses.
“We have a large insurance cluster, a good medical community and a finance sector,” said Gambrell.
Gambrell said there are positions in these markets available, but a majority of the unemployed don’t have training in these sectors. With the current nature of the economy, being open to working in a different field and getting further education are important.
“To get a job in today’s economy, you have to present yourself well, be qualified, have a good attitude, do more than is expected and then show up on time every day and work hard,” said Gambrell. “You have to make yourself worth what you want to be paid.”
Despite Columbia’s challenges in finding jobs for these individuals, through focusing on simple matters of professionalism and Columbia’s cluster of employment opportunities, there is hope for reducing the unemployment rate in spite of the current economy. RCT