Additionally, many co-op students are prime candidates as potential employees. There are many colleges and universities in the Upstate which produce over 8,000 graduates per year. Out of these college graduates, the region boasts one of the highest concentrations of MBAs in the nation. S.C. Commission on Higher Education Commuters Commuters both into and out of the Upstate provide a prime source of labor. The fact that the Upstate can attract a large group of employees from other counties is a testament to the strength of the area's economy.
Many companies successfully recruit from the labor markets of Charlotte and Atlanta.
Over 16,000 employees leave the Upstate to work elsewhere and comprise 4 percent of the Upstate's civilian work force. Studies have shown, however, that most would take comparable jobs closer to home if given the opportunity. In 1990, Anderson County attracted over 9,000 employees or 15 percent of all jobs from outside the County. Anderson County also lost 18,000 employees or 26 percent of its civilian labor force to other counties. This pool of 18,000 employees would be one of the first groups of potential employees to take advantage of comparable jobs locating to Anderson County.