State workforce official urges both technological and human approaches at Lowcountry summit

Dr. Rebecca Battle Bryant, director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development, told attendees at the 2026 Lowcountry Economic Development Summit that workforce policy needs two components: a ‘‘technological connection’’ and a ‘‘human connection.’’

"We are addressing workforce on 2 components. 1 is a technological connection, and then 1 is the human connection," she said. She described a legislative proposal for a centralized portal where employers, job seekers and educators could access opportunities and said a recent federal report called "America's Talent Marketplace" advocates a digitized talent strategy.

The summit, hosted by the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation, included networking and presentations; a recording is available on the Beaufort County TV YouTube channel, the broadcast said. The presenter did not provide legislative text, implementation timelines or funding sources for a statewide portal.