From Classroom to Career: Scaling the Talent Pipeline in York County
May 21, 2026
Mollie Rose
The future of York County’s workforce is being built today—and LIFT (Leadership Institute for Talent) is leading the charge.
Powered by the York County Regional Chamber and its Foundation, LIFT is a collaborative initiative designed to align businesses, educators, and workforce partners around one goal: delivering sustainable, high-quality workforce solutions.
Led by Celeste Tiller, Vice President of Talent & Workforce Development, LIFT advances this mission through three key focus areas: Employment Sector Pathways, Upskilling, and Advocacy, supported by 17 strategies that are actively strengthening the region’s talent pipeline.
2026 BY THE NUMBERS
WOW! EARLY CAREER AWARENESS IN ACTION
LIFT’s WOW! (World of Work) program is creating early awareness of career opportunities by bringing real-world experiences directly into middle schools across York County.
Students participated in:
- Hands-on career exploration aligned with the 14 South Carolina career clusters through Virtual Reality
- Interactive sessions in communication, teamwork, and financial literacy
- Career expos connecting them directly with local employers
These immersive experiences help students understand not only what careers exist—but what it takes to pursue them.
One student reflected after participating in a VR simulation:
“It gave me a new perspective of what these people do every day.”
Schools Reached
Buford Middle School, Clover Middle School, Oakridge Middle School, Lewisville Middle School, Great Falls Middle School, and York Middle School
Business & Community Partners Engaged
Atrium Health, Bethel Veterinary, Brooks Harper, Chief Buildings, Comporium, Dr. C Psychology LLC, Earth Clean Property, Founders Federal Credit Union, Governor’s School for Agriculture, Governor’s School for Arts & Humanities, Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics, IT Kings Mountain, John C Riley Music, Lancaster County EMS, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster Water & Sewer, LCI Lineberger, River Hills, Ross Distribution Center, SMA Solar, Spartco Group, TotalBond Veterinary, U.S. Navy & U.S. Army, Visit York County, York County Regional Chamber, and York Technical College
BUSINESS EXPEDITION: BRIDGING EDUCATION & INDUSTRY
Through Business Expeditions, LIFT is connecting high school students directly to the industries in York County.
Students from Rock Hill Schools Dual Enrollment Program engaged with: City of Rock Hill, Comporium, Springs Creative, and the York County Regional Chamber.
These experiences give students a firsthand look at career pathways and reinforce the opportunity to build a future right here in York County.
EPIC: REAL-WORLD LEARNING WITH REAL IMPACT
EPIC (Employer-Provided Innovative Challenges) connects students with real business needs—creating value for both talent development and employers.
Project Highlights
- Developing marketing strategies and brand positioning
- Creating business attraction campaigns
- Enhancing digital presence and customer engagement
Through EPIC, students gain hands-on, resume-building experience while businesses benefit from fresh ideas and workforce pipeline development.
Education Partners
Rock Hill Applied Technology Center (ATC), Winthrop University (Digital Marketing Program – Professor Cara Peters)
Business & Community Partners
Apricot Lane Boutique, Blue Goose Art Supply, Keystone Substance Abuse Services, Kween Bellas Closet, and Rock Hill City Economic Development
LOOKING AHEAD
As LIFT continues into 2026, the focus remains on scaling impact:
- Expanding WOW! to reach more students across York County
- Increasing employer engagement across all programs
- Growing EPIC opportunities to connect more students with real-world experience
Thank you for your continued partnership and for standing with us on the leading edge of economic and workforce development. Together, we are building what’s next for York County, and lifting our community to new heights.