PR2016 Oct 10

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Amy Materson, (205) 391-0563; Julie Hindall (205) 391-0331

WORLDS OF WORK TO REACH OUT TO AREA’S FUTURE WORKFORCE

This Week’s Career Fair to Attract More than 6,000 Students in West Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, AL – More than 4,300 eighth graders and approximately 2,000 ninth through 12th graders will get a hands-on look at high-paying jobs in West Alabama this week, as Worlds of Work, a one-of-a-kind career expo will be held October 13 and 14 at Shelton State Community College’s Martin Campus.

Designed to showcase a range of technical and high-wage careers in sectors such as energy and utilities; manufacturing; automotive and logistics; transportation; hospitality and tourism; engineering and environment and public safety and tourism, the expo will welcome students from nine counties to participate in interactive exhibits from local employers looking for highly skilled workers.

“The purpose of the expo is to create awareness about exciting career options among students and educators while addressing workforce needs in the region,” says Donny Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. “Existing employers in the region continue to have unfilled job openings due to a shortage of skilled workers. In addition, employers face shortages over the next few years due to the retirement of up to 50 percent of their workforce.”

Eighth grade students will attend the expo during the two-day event with their schools. On October 13 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. high school students are invited to attend with a parent or guardian. One high school student in attendance at the event will be awarded a semester’s tuition to either Shelton State Community College or Bevill State Community College.

Worlds of Work is a project of West Alabama Works, the Region 3 Workforce Development Council and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. For more information, visit worldsofwork.com.

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