A New Generation of Pride, Progress & Professionals
A Skilled Workforce is Critical to South Carolina's Economy and Construction Industry
The current crisis has made it abundantly clear that the residential construction industry is not only needed, but an essential tool of the future economy in South Carolina. It is also very apparent that we have a growing need for a skilled workforce.
The HBASC and associated trade associations have formed a powerful collaborative to promote skilled trades in South Carolina.
Be Pro Be Proud SC
Be Pro Be Proud SC is a workforce development project designed to close the skills-gap in South Carolina.
The ultimate goal is to transform our future workforce by increasing the pool of qualified workers and re-instilling pride in the skilled trades.
We are taking a unique approach to removing the stigma from “blue-collar” jobs and helping students and the public to understand and appreciate the importance of these jobs to our economy.
This career-awareness campaign has already been successful in Arkansas since 2016, and we are working closely with the original team to become only the SECOND state in the nation to launch our own mobile workshop.
The success of Be Pro Be Proud is due to a carefully-designed plan with two steps:
Step 1 – Generate excitement and awareness for skilled trades by providing simulators and cutting-edge, mobile technology – giving students a unique, “hands-on” and “virtual-reality” experience.
Step 2 – Deliver a “road map” to students that clearly demonstrates the value of skilled trades professions along with local schools, training facilities, and available jobs on the Be Pro Be Proud website.
We will not only educate students about skilled trade careers; we will give them tools and resources to get hired in a profession that will transform their lives.
A Mobile Workshop
The mobile workshop, custom-built by SPEVCO, is a state-of-the-art, military-grade, double-expandable 53-foot, 18-wheeler that houses simulators that has been deployed across our state.
This innovative campaign has “pop,” and the “wow factor” because it is high – on wheels and profile – using interactive, virtual reality and gamified simulators. The workshop is a well-lit, colorful, animated, and temperature-controlled environment that students are excited to experience.
Over the next five years, we will tour schools, career fairs, trade shows and all kinds of public and private events, rural and urban, throughout South Carolina.
The Plan
With the strong support of Governor Henry McMaster, the Associated Industries of South Carolina secured $650,000 in operational start-up funding.
We have received a matching corporate donation from South Carolina-based Southeastern Freight Lines to build the Mobile Unit.
Mungo Homes, Great Southern Homes and Clarks Termite and Pest Control will support new construction oriented virtual reality simulators and we are partnering with DEW for the operational management of the campaign.
A tax-deductible donation now will go a long way towards enabling the Foundation to operate this highly-complex mobile workshop while meeting all of our obligations in a first-class, professional manner, of which you will be proud.
We are reaching out to every business and economic sector. Know that your peer group is being asked to equally share in supporting this initiative.
We want you to be recognized for your contribution towards a stronger economy and workforce in SC.
If you:
- have a hard time finding good, qualified workers;
- want to impact the future generation and change lives;
- want to reduce drop-out rates and potential recidivism;
- want to improve our culture and promote pride and professionalism;
- want to help SC grow;
…then this is a program you will want to support.
The most significant donors will have their names and/or logos displayed on the truck and/or trailer. All donors will receive recognition through our materials, social media, website, individual-sector publications, and in various other ways.
Participating in this high-visibility initiative will be good for your brand, and help South Carolina Be Pro and Be Proud. For more information please visit our website BeProBeProudSC.org.
Get Involved
Donations to Be Pro Be Proud are 100% Tax Deductible