British inventor and businessman James Dyson once said, "Manufacturing is more than just putting parts together." The people of South Carolina would agree. With a long and storied history in manufacturing, the industry is clearly more than a job or profession for the citizens of our state. It's part of who we are.
The origins of South Carolina's manufacturing industry can be traced back to the late 19th century, when textiles started to take off. As technology improved and production costs changed, the state was forced to diversify. Today, South Carolina is home to a much more advanced manufacturing industry, with factories producing complex products, such as wide-body commercial aircraft, premium automobiles and pharmaceuticals.
Although it may look different than it did two or three decades ago, it's clear that manufacturing remains an important pillar of South Carolina's economy. Since 2011, manufacturers have announced more than 66,000 new jobs in our state. This industry recruitment success has been a major contributor to the significant growth we've experienced in manufacturing employment -- an 18 percent increase over the last 10 years. These new job opportunities aren't the same ones that existed in the past. They are well-paying, clean and high-tech.
Moving forward, as we seek to remain a leader in the global manufacturing industry, it's important that we promote the quality of these opportunities. By encouraging our youth to pursue manufacturing careers, we'll be able to build upon our international reputation as a state that knows how to make things.