4 Ways SCbio Is Helping Build South Carolina’s Life Sciences Talent Pipeline

South Carolina’s life sciences industry contributes $20.1 billion annually to the state’s economy, supports more than 63,000 jobs and generates $5.4 billion in annual labor income.

Those numbers show how much the industry has grown in the Palmetto State, but raise an increasingly pressing question: where will the people needed to support this growth come from?

That’s exactly why SCbio, the leader of South Carolina’s life sciences ecosystem, is focused on strengthening that growth through workforce development and building the talent pipeline needed to sustain it.

Meeting the needs of a growing industry requires more than filling open positions. It requires a connected strategy: introducing students to the industry earlier, giving them opportunities to apply what they learn, helping them build relationships with employers and ensuring education continues to reflect how the industry is shaping.

1. Introducing Life Sciences Careers Earlier

A lasting talent pipeline takes time to build, especially in life sciences, where many roles require specialized education, technical skills and training before someone is ready to enter the workforce. Although these skills can be complex, the first step is straightforward: awareness.

While life sciences is gaining traction in South Carolina, many students remain unaware of the opportunities available in the sector, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics or laboratory operations.

That’s the gap SCbio set out to address with Rad Lab, powered by Skillionaire Games. Already used by students in all 46 counties in South Carolina, the game is geo-fixed, allowing students to explore real STEM careers and discover companies operating in their own communities.

“Young people cannot pursue careers they do not know exist or pathways they do not know how to navigate. Through our partnership with SCbio, Rad Lab combines the engagement and scale of video games to help students discover the life sciences industry, explore careers, practice on-the-job skills and connect directly to local education and career pathways. Nearly 8,000 students across all 46 South Carolina counties have engaged in play; after just 10 minutes, 80% report understanding the industry and its careers, and with continued gameplay, reported interest in pursuing a life sciences career increased by 83%,” said Tina Zwoliinski, CEO and founder of skillsgapp // Skillionaire Games.

The significance goes beyond awareness of a single industry, though. Students can’t prepare for careers they don’t know exist, and employers can’t expect a future supply of talent if those career paths remain largely invisible until college or graduation.

Rad Lab moves that introduction earlier, giving students more time to explore the ecosystem and make informed choices about the education and training they may need.

2. Turning Interest into Practical Experience

Building interest is the first step. Students need opportunities to apply what they are learning and develop a clearer sense of what working in the industry involves.