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Patsy Holliday worked at the Clarendon County Courthouse as the administrative assistant to the county administrator and clerk to county council for five years before entering the U.S. Army, where she served for 22 years before retiring as an E8/master sergeant. While in the military, she earned her BS in business administration from Southern Wesleyan University. After retirement, Patsy joined the SC Technical College System in 2010 and has served in various roles, such as Boeing project administrative assistant, second shift manager, Phase I project manager and currently, training manager. Presently, she is enrolled in Southern Wesleyan University's graduate program for E-Learning and Instructional Design, pending an M.Ed. degree in May 2021.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Thoughtful, Warmhearted and Professional
Please tell us about your job:
As a training manager, I work with area directors in the discovery, design and delivery phases of assigned projects. Through discovery, we identify training needs for new or expanding companies. I collaborate with company subject matter experts, area directors, instructors, and/or other training professionals to design and develop relevant training content. Sometimes this training is conducted by our readySC instructors or through our local technical colleges. A team of four other training managers and I coordinate and occasionally deliver these training classes, as needed, as well as oversee instructors within our assigned regions. When training is the best solution, my approach with design and delivery is to embed as much learner engagement and enjoyment of the learning as possible, within given constraints and limitations.
What is something that you love about your job?
I love that I'm on a team where everyone shares the same vision and dedication to the mission of meeting desired business goals while addressing learner needs.
I love having a voice. Our boss listens to our ideas, and the whole team works together to make our goals happen. We all support each other and collaborate to offer creative feedback and then make our ideas a reality. I love being appreciated and listened to.
What drew you to the economic development field?
I was retired from the military and needed to find a focus. I started work with the economic development division in 2010, but before being hired had no idea what readySC did.
I've always loved helping others, so working for one of the oldest and most experienced workforce training programs in the United States and the good of the state of South Carolina and its citizens was a perfect fit for me. I can absolutely say that this was one of my best decisions ever!
What are some innovative and impressive workforce development programs currently emerging around the state?
All the division training managers are members of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), which is a professional membership organization supporting those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees around the world.
We've learned about the latest trends and technologies in the industry. We've also received guidance on the future of talent development. For instance, over the past few weeks, there's been a sudden transition from traditional, face-to-face training to a virtual environment due to COVID-19. ATD provides trusted content in the form of research, books, webcasts or webinars, events and education programs. They also host a variety of conferences several times a year, including our local Midlands chapter and the premier international gathering for talent development professionals. I have had the honor of completing two of their certificate programs, master trainer and master instructional designer.
