Chamber Wants Even More Businesses at High School Career Day March 30
Friday January 27, 2012
When Dr. Toni McGriff, Director of the Roane County Schools, said, "This has been the best Career Day!" at last year's career fair for high school students, her words were taken as a challenge to make the 2012 High School Career Day even better!
The Education and Workforce Committee of the Roane County Chamber of Commerce has taken up the challenge and is looking for additional businesses to participate in this year's Career Day on March 30.
"Our business leaders know that it is critical for our students, their future employees, to focus on gaining the education and skills necessary for them to be employable and competitive in the global economy," said Allen Lutz, the Alliance's Education and Workforce Development Specialist. "There is no escaping it, for Roane County, Tennessee, the U.S., and other countries, economic growth is linked with educational attainment."
More than 550 juniors from the five Roane County high schools (Harriman, Midway, Oliver Springs, Roane County and Rockwood High Schools) will come to the Roane State Community College gym from 9 a.m. to noon to participate in the event.
"There are still some tables available for businesses to participate in the career fair, but they need to call now," said Lutz. To participate, contact Lutz at 865-376-2093 or email alutz@roanealliance.org.
Last year, the students met with more than 150 business representatives from approximately 50 businesses to learn about careers that interest them and careers that they may have never considered before. To learn more about Career Day; go to the Alliance's web site at http://www.roanealliance.org/workforce/education.html.
While at the fair, the students learn that they need to continue their education beyond high school in order to get a good-paying job, Lutz said. Either a two- or four-year college degree, or vocational training that earns a marketable skill or certification is needed in today's labor market.
"Students need to understand just what it takes to be successful in a career field," said Lutz. "The goal is for the students to begin thinking about their career path and learn about the knowledge, skills, and education requirements needed to be successful in a wide range of careers."
The career fair is possible because of the combined support of The Roane Alliance, Roane County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Roane County Schools, Roane State Community College, the Tennessee Technology Center at Harriman, the many businesses that participate, and Innovation Valley, Inc. which provides funding not only for the career fair but for the Alliance's ‘Education Matters!' Initiative as a whole.
The Chamber is a partner in The Roane Alliance - Roane County's economic development organization. The partners who operate under the Alliance umbrella along with the Chamber include the Industrial Development Board and Visitors Bureau.
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