In the weeks ahead, South Carolinians of all ages will be returning to school in pursuit of the tools they'll need to be successful in both their careers and in life. As a new semester begins, the Palmetto State's many education and workforce development institutions will once again work their magic, preparing students across this state for the jobs of the future.
To see the results that these organizations are capable of achieving, one only has to look to the past three decades. It's hard to believe that most students starting classes this month grew up not knowing of a time before companies like BMW, Boeing, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Volvo Cars called South Carolina home. Today, we have more than 66,000 people working in the automotive sector and approximately 55,000 working in the aerospace sector. Our colleges, local school districts and various training programs deserve all the credit for cultivating such a robust workforce.
In an ever-changing economy, these longtime members of Team South Carolina continue to push forward, ensuring that the state's workforce training offerings are on the cutting edge and meeting the needs of both existing and prospective industries. In May, it was announced that six South Carolina high schools would begin offering aerospace engineering classes -- a new curriculum found in only five other states. Then, in July, Clemson University announced its new automotive engineering certificate program, which will give students an opportunity to work in state-of-the art laboratories and participate in large design projects with auto industry clients.
American author and businessman Zig Ziglar once said, "You don't build a business -- you build people -- and then the people build the business." In South Carolina, we recognize this fact; we know that our people are our greatest asset. And, as we move forward and continue to invest in them, we'll be setting the table for a future of economic growth and prosperity.