Bridging the Gap by Empowering Students Through Workforce Efforts

Industry participation is a crucial steppingstone for students, providing them with opportunities to explore their interests, network with professionals, and discover potential career paths. In this blog post, we will delve into the remarkable achievements of these events, including the PWA Career Fair, Worksystems Youth Job Fair, and CTE Expo. We also highlight a dedicated workforce effort that successfully connected students with hospitality professionals participating in classroom speaking engagements.

PWA Career Fair: Empowering Over 6,000 Students
The PWA (Portland Workforce Alliance) Career Fair is an annual event that draws participation from over 75 high schools in Oregon and Southwest Washington. With an impressive attendance of approximately 6,000 students, this fair serves as a catalyst for career exploration and networking opportunities. By connecting students with professionals from a diverse range of industries, the PWA Career Fair paves the way for potential internships and job opportunities.

Worksystems Youth Job Fair: Impacting Over 2,000 Youths
Designed exclusively for young individuals in the Portland metro area, the Worksystems Youth Job Fair is a vital platform for connecting them with employment opportunities. With over 2,000 youth in attendance, this fair provides invaluable exposure to summer jobs, internships, and part-time positions. By engaging local employers, the fair not only facilitates the integration of young talent into the workforce it also connects individuals with resources to be successful.

CTE Expo at Oregon Coast Community College: Inspiring 350 Students
The CTE (Career and Technical Education) Expo celebrates the achievements of students involved in vocational training programs. This dynamic event offers a platform for 350 students to showcase their skills and projects. Through interactive exhibits and presentations, the CTE Expo highlights the multitude of career paths available through CTE programs, encouraging students to pursue their passions in technical and practical fields.

Reaching the Coast: Connecting Students with Hospitality Professions
Recognizing the potential of the Oregon Coast as a hub for hospitality professions, a focused workforce effort was undertaken to connect students with career opportunities. Through class speaking engagements, career fairs, and targeted events, this initiative successfully reached approximately 1,000 students. By providing insights into the range of hospitality professions available in coastal communities, students were encouraged to explore and consider these exciting career paths.

Oregon's career fairs and classroom speaking engagements have made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of students, opening doors to new possibilities and career exploration. The dedicated workforce effort by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation and workforce partners over the past year has resulted in Oregon’s hospitality industry reaching approximately 10,000 students, fostering connections between students and our sector. These achievements highlight the importance of industry engagement in empowering students and bridging the gap between education and industry workforce needs. By continuing to invest in these initiatives, we can shape a brighter future for the next generation, providing them with the tools they need to thrive in their chosen careers.

Posted by: Lupe Arellano, Workforce Development / Business Liaison, Oregon Hospitality Foundation

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