Watch the full recap of the 2025 Upstate Talent Forum by clicking the video above. Explore conversations with business leaders, educators and innovators on AI, workforce development and the future of talent in South Carolina. Video by Terry Manning.
Leaders from education, business and government gathered at the third annual Upstate Talent Forum to address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: closing the workforce gap through collaboration and a mindset shift in how the Upstate prepares for economic growth.
Hosted by the University of South Carolina Upstate, the two-day event at the Spartanburg Marriott focused on aligning education with employer needs, equipping students with real-world experience and preparing for demographic changes that threaten to shrink the labor force.
Chancellor Bennie L. Harris, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Louis Stewart of NVIDIA
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette opened the forum by emphasizing the importance of cross-sector partnerships. She said South Carolina’s economic competitiveness depends on investments in infrastructure, education and workforce development, adding, “We can’t just talk about talent; we have to make sure every South Carolinian has the tools to reach their full potential.”
USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie L. Harris reinforced the university’s role as a convener for regional collaboration. He said USC Upstate is working to bridge the gap between education and industry, noting, “It takes our chambers, communities, companies and educational institutions to work together so nobody gets left behind, especially when the opportunities are out there.”
That approach is supported by data from the 2025 Upstate Workforce and Talent Report, produced in partnership with labor analytics firm Lightcast and USC Upstate’s Center for Business Analytics and Community Research. Findings point to a “demographic drought,” showing a shrinking pipeline of young workers compared to previous generations and urging greater investment in reskilling, upskilling and early career exposure.
Panelists Tim Jarrett (BNG Hospitality), Monigo Saygbay-Hallie (Denny’s) and Crystal Hendrickson (Pinnacle Hospitality)
As remote, hybrid and on-site work models become more common, traditional career paths are evolving. Employers increasingly value soft skills such as communication, adaptability and collaboration—traits now listed in more than three-quarters of job postings, according to Lightcast. The firm’s research also shows that the average job in 2024 required 32% different skills than it did just three years earlier, underscoring the need for lifelong learning.
Louis Stewart, head of strategic initiatives at NVIDIA, said universities play a central role in shaping the future workforce.
“Universities are co-creators, not just consumers,” he said. “They bring place, thought and creativity to the table—and they sit at the core of what happens next.”
Panelists from Lightcast, OneSpartanburg Inc., the Upstate SC Alliance, Landrum HR, Find Great People and area universities discussed strategies to strengthen South Carolina’s talent pipeline. Topics included work-based learning, childcare access and employer partnerships to remove barriers to employment.
Many agreed that preparing future generations requires both innovation and a mindset shift—encouraging teens to work earlier, introducing K-12 students to career opportunities, and connecting them with mentors and internships to build essential soft skills.
As the forum concluded, Harris reminded attendees that collaboration—not competition—will define the region’s success.
“When education, industry and community work together,” he said, “we don’t just prepare students for jobs, we prepare them to lead.”
The Upstate Talent Forum was brought to you in collaboration with the University of South Carolina Upstate, OneSpartanburg, Inc., Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce and the Greenville Chamber.
Photos from the Upstate Talent Forum are available on our Flickr albums.
Read more findings in Lightcast’s The Rising Storm report online.