DEW Announces New Service Plan, To Lay Off 100

On Tuesday, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) announced a new service model that is meant to streamline operations.

The announcement was tied to a reduction in the amount of federal funds and the need to improve efficiency.

The new model means 100 DEW employee will lose their jobs when the model is instituted in July. Should Congress not extend federal funding for unemployment, 53 employees could lose their jobs. In the last year restructuring announcements by DEW have resulted in more than 200 layoffs.

Todd Rutherford (D - Richland), the House Minority leader, released the following statement upon hearing the announcement.
"At a time when South Carolina's unemployment rate is among the highest in the nation, Governor Haley's employment and workforce agency could not be more dysfunctional," Rutherford said. "While some agency employees are being treated with sweetheart bonuses and lavish taxpayer-funded beach retreats, hundreds of other agency employees are losing their jobs, and thousands of South Carolinians are losing critical employment services. Governor Haley likes to take credit for jobs she didn't create, but she is unwilling to take responsibility for the massive job losses in her own backyard. The people of South Carolina deserve better."

The new model includes 12 centers that feature intensive employment services and assistance with filing UI claims online. There will also be around-the-clock self-service offerings and local access points.

Claims will no longer be taken at SC Works centers, but staff at the 12 comprehensive centers will be able to offer assistance with online filing.

The DEW is also working with libraries, technical colleges, and various other community organizations in all 46 counties to provide technology-enhanced connection points across the state.

“Ultimately, these changes enable our customers to take advantage of services more quickly, efficiently and at times most convenient to them,” said John L. Finan, DEW administrator. “DEW and our partners worked together to develop an updated service delivery model that maximizes technology in order to best assist South Carolinians find the right job or employee.”

Employment services—ranging from resume writing and job searching to candidate recruiting—will be delivered to all 46 counties through a variety of methods including mobile teams, satellite locations and SC Works Online Services.

A list of the comprehensive centers is attached to this story as are the other locations across the state.