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Committee recommends Rebecca Battle Bryant to lead new Office of Statewide Workforce Development
Summary
The Southland Labor, Commerce and Industry committee voted to give a favorable recommendation to Rebecca Battle Bryant as director of the new Office of Statewide Workforce Development after a screening and extended questioning about rural outreach, skills-based hiring and coordination with education and employers.
Rebecca Battle Bryant, a workforce consultant and former Department of Employment and Workforce official, received a favorable recommendation from the Southland Labor, Commerce and Industry committee to become the first director of the new Office of Statewide Workforce Development.
Battle Bryant told the committee she has worked in workforce development for roughly 30 years across government, education and private industry — including 22 years at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and six years running Battle Plan Consulting. "Workforce development has been a passion of mine for the last 30 years," she said, and described the new office's role as a coordinator among education, employers and state agencies.
Committee members pressed Battle Bryant on outreach and priorities for rural areas, the role of two‑year and technical education, and serving returning citizens. Senator Reichenbach asked what messaging the office should give parents and young people in largely rural regions; Battle Bryant emphasized skills-based hiring and stronger coordination among employers, educators and community partners such as churches and ministerial alliances. "We've got to talk to our parents about skills," she said. Senator Allen asked specifically about second‑chance hiring; Battle Bryant described past programs that recruited from prerelease centers and correctional institutions and said employers who adapted policies could retain many hires from those programs.
Committee staff confirmed Battle Bryant's required paperwork, including a SLED background check and statement of economic interest. Senators asked whether she would treat the position as her full‑time focus; Battle Bryant said she would "mothball" her consulting practice and devote herself full time to the office if appointed. She also described working relationships with Department of Employment and Workforce staff, including director Floyd, and said the office should act as a "driver" to align language, timelines and shared leadership across partners.
Senator Rice moved a favorable recommendation for Battle Bryant; Senator Grenfellau seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote and indicated it would report the nomination favorably to the next step in the confirmation process.
The committee record shows screening questions and follow‑up by multiple members but no formal roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript. The committee asked Battle Bryant to meet with local partners in Pickens County if confirmed; she agreed.
Votes at a glance: Favorable recommendation for Rebecca Battle Bryant (motion by Senator Rice; second by Senator Grenfellau; outcome: approved by voice vote).
