Ms. Joyce Smith

But Winter said the requirements are extreme for sexually abused inmates who fear retaliation for reporting they were attacked.The U.S. attorney general's office has a year to issue rules based on the commission's report."We know sexual violence is seriously underreported," said Smith, the commission member.
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Joyce Smith

Joyce Smith Area Director

Joyce Smith, area director of the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, recently told members and guests of the Greater Seneca Chamber of Commerce how the commission helps employers find employees, and how it helps workers make transitions to new jobs.

The commission has offices in Anderson, Liberty, Seneca and at Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton.

The One Stop centers at all its locations not only help with job placement assistance, they also provide labor market information, Internet access, resume writing, fax and phone access and community resource information.

"These centers offer a variety of services and information that can assist in finding employment," Ms. Smith said.

Ms. Smith said the commission is working its way toward filing those claims using the Internet.Much of its information and resources can be found at www.sces.org.

The commission can also help with career planning, developing an individual employment plan, preparation to take the GED exam and upgrading existing skills.

The commission works closely with other agencies including Adult Education, the Department of Social Services, Housing Authority, Job Corps, Tri-County Technical College and vocational rehabilitation.

"We offer customized service for the employee and the employers," Ms. Smith said."About the only negative is the parking situation."

Ms. Smith said there are 13 employees at the Radio Station Road office in Seneca.

Oconee County has a population of approximately 68,000 people and has 29,000 in the work force.Ms. Smith said each percentage point of unemployment represents about 300 people.

"With the unemployment rate near 7 percent, it's about 2,000 unemployed - a little higher than we want it be," Ms. Smith said."But, some $13 million in unemployment benefits returned to Oconee County last year.That's a lot of money that stayed here."

From Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 this year, the Seneca office handled 8,336 claims, helping about 3,000 people a month with unemployment claims or finding different jobs.The center holds about 16 workshops a month.

"We're about 60% manufacturing in Oconee County and that includes textiles, so it hit us hard," says Joyce Smith, the area manager at the Seneca Employment Security Commission.

There are already WestPoint workers lining up at the unemployment offices looking for jobs and the sooner the better.

"If they have a high school diploma, it will be an easier transition for them.If not, we will assist them in getting the skills and help them get a G.E.D. which will give them more opportunities for employment," says Smith.

Joyce Smith, area director of the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, will speak about employer services, job training and unemployment insurance.

The public is invited and the breakfast costs $6.For more information, call (864) 882-2097.

Joyce Smith