Career showcase features Manufacturing Day proclamation.

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster joined manufacturers, educators and 9th graders earlier this month to celebrate manufacturing's impact on the state during the 2019 Upstate College and Career Showcase in Spartanburg.

"When you think of manufacturing you think of the skill, precision and expertise it takes," McMaster said. "I want to say to these young people here today, 'You're exactly in the right place.' The main reason manufacturers say they are coming to South Carolina is because of the people and they're talking about you.

"They say the people of South Carolina will work smart and when they give you their word, they keep it," he said.

Gov. McMaster proclaimed Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 as S.C. Manufacturing Week and Thursday, Oct. 4, as National Manufacturing Day in South Carolina. He presented the Manufacturing Week proclamation to Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of the S.C. Manufacturers Alliance.

"Advanced manufacturing makes possible a better future through innovation. It connects us with the world as a leader in global commerce and it provides meaningful career opportunities that truly transform people and their communities," Hazzard said. "The Palmetto State is proud of the more than 5,000 manufacturing facilities that employ over 200,000 of our friends, family and neighbors in all 46 counties."

Thousands of ninth graders from Cherokee, Spartanburg and Union counties participated in the showcase that featured 45 manufacturing and education booths in an exhibit hall.

"It's a college and career showcase for 9th graders, for them to come and see what's available in Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee counties," said Cherie Pressley, regional workforce adviser for the S.C. Department of Commerce covering Cherokee, Spartanburg and Union counties. "They're at an age where they are making decisions about courses they take in high school and we want to encourage them to see the reality of the workforce."

Among the 45 companies who participated in the showcase was Senator International in Greer. Gregor Ulbrich, business development manager for Senator, said it was important for school-age kids to know what is available in their communities.

"What we are trying to get out of this event here today is to expose the kids to the logistics industry, not just for our company but South Carolina as a whole," Ulbrich said. "They are our future workforce."

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