Educating, Training & Advancing Orangeburg’s Workforce
Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employment sector in Orangeburg County, followed closely by Retail Trade, reflecting a well-balanced economy supported by service and production industries. Educational Services also plays a major role, while Accommodation & Food Services underscores the importance of tourism and hospitality across the region.
Top 5 Industries by Employment
Source: South Carolina Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- Health Care & Social Assistance – 4,070
- Retail Trade – 3,742
- Manufacturing – 3,671
- Educational Services – 3,383
- Accommodation & Food Services – 2,998
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
OC Tech connects students and local employers through training programs aligned with manufacturing, industrial operations, logistics, and technology-driven employers. Offering a wide mix of degrees and certifications, students can prepare for high-demand fields like IT, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, health sciences, business, and skilled trades. With hands-on learning and industry-informed coursework, OC Tech provides pathways from quick, job-ready certificates to associates degrees designed for career advancement or seamless transfer.
Claflin University’s workforce development focuses on equipping students and regional workers with practical, career-ready skills through internships, cooperative education, and career support services. Partnering with employers and programs such as Workforce Edge and the Carolina Cluster Career Pathways, Claflin provides access to degree programs, hands-on experiences, and STEM opportunities, while also supporting regional economic growth.
South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University is an R2-designated public land-grant HBCU and a key workforce engine for Orangeburg County, producing talent aligned with manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and technology-driven industries. With accredited engineering and STEM programs—including mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering; computer science; industrial technology; and applied mathematics—SC State provides a reliable pipeline of job-ready graduates, with growing capacity in cybersecurity, data analytics, and supply chain–related fields to meet evolving workforce demands.
Orangeburg County School District
Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) serves 10,620 students across 27 schools and prepares them for college and careers through strong Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. At centers like the Orangeburg Career & Technology Center and Cope Area Career Center, students earn certifications, licenses, and hands-on experience in fields such as health sciences, IT, business, construction, and culinary arts. Programs like Orangeburg Advanced College let students graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. Through academics, workforce-aligned training, and industry partnerships, OCSD equips students with the skills needed to succeed in school and beyond.