Committee advances nominee for new statewide workforce office after questions on rural outreach, second‑chance hiring

Dr. Rebecca Battle, nominee for director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development, was favorably reported by the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee after a screening that focused on outreach to rural communities, skills‑based hiring and hiring pathways for returning citizens.

Battle told the committee she has worked in workforce development for about 30 years and highlighted experience in government, education and private industry, saying, “Workforce development has been a passion of mine for the last 30 years.” She described founding Battle Plan Consulting six years ago to connect employers and educators and said the director post would be “a dream come true.”

The nut graf: The new office sits inside the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce and the director’s role is coterminous with the governor; the committee’s screening sought to establish whether Battle’s experience and priorities match the office’s coordination mandate and whether she would prioritize rural outreach, employer‑driven skills and second‑chance hiring.

Senators pressed Battle on strategy for rural areas and how to explain education and career choices to parents. Sen. Rickenbach said the nominee’s background “shows me your heart” and asked what messaging she would give to families weighing four‑year degrees, technical college and trades. Battle described a “paradigm shift” toward skills‑based hiring and said parents should be informed about the specific skills children acquire and about two‑year and technical college pathways. “The big trend I’m seeing with employers is skills based hiring,” she said.

Committee members also asked about hiring people with convictions. Sen. Allen said he was “encouraging” about Battle’s answer after reading her reference letters and asked about “returning citizens.” Battle described past work recruiting from prerelease and correctional programs, saying her employer changed HR policies to support hires from those programs and that “those that stayed with us, we found to be very grateful, very loyal, and very open.” She added that support services such as transportation and temporary housing were important to retention.

Members asked about conflicts with her private consulting work. Battle said her business is project‑based and that, if confirmed, she would “mothball” the company and treat the director role as “one full time gig.”

The committee received and reviewed Battle’s personal data questionnaire, statement of economic interest, a SLED background check, credit report and driving record and found them complete. After members discussed the nomination, Sen. Rice moved a favorable recommendation; Sen. Greenfield seconded. The committee carried the motion by voice vote and the nomination was reported favorably.

The screening combined a review of credentials with a policy‑oriented discussion about how the new office would coordinate existing programs across education, employers and state agencies. Battle repeatedly framed the role as a “driver” to bring partners together and create common terminology and expectations between business and education.

Less critical details: director Floyd of the Department of Employment and Workforce attended in support of the nominee and was acknowledged by Battle in her opening remarks. Committee staff confirmed documents and routine pre‑appointment screenings; no disqualifying issues were reported by staff.