NEWS RELEASE
October 20, 2016
CONTACT
Mathieu Cavell
Leon County Community and Media Relations
(850) 606-5300
For the Second Year, Leon County Helps to Bridge Skilled Job Gap
Building on the success of last year’s Leon Works Expo, Leon County Government connected more than 600 high school students and job seekers with academic institutions, private businesses, nonprofit agencies, and public sector partners. Leon County did so because over the next seven years more than 10,000 skilled are and will become available in the Capital County region.
"The success of each person that attended the Expo is not only important to the individual, but to all of us," said Leon County Commission Chairman Bill Proctor. "The more we know about skilled career opportunites, the more we can grow together as a community.”
Skilled careers require more training and education than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year college degree. These high-demand, high-wage opportunities include the areas of health, business, information technology, creative, and trade.
"Growing the local economy is a constant priority for Leon County," said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. "For the second year, Leon Works connected job seekers with employers and academic institutions to help meet our County’s future employment needs."
By 9 a.m., high school juniors and seniors interested in joining the skilled workforce began exploring more than 90 exhibitors from the world of skilled career training and employment. Academic institutions engaged students with hands-on demonstrations such as welding, auto mechanic displays, and more that showcased information about their programs. Local skilled career success stories were excited to share what makes their jobs rewarding, sharing their own experiences with attendees.
“It’s great to see so many students and job seekers eager to hear me share what I love about my profession,” said Jean Fraser, owner of Cabinetry Design Studio. “The Expo provided the perfect opportunity to share career opportunites that some may not have known existed.”
In the afternoon, the Leon Works Expo was open to job seekers throughout Leon County and surrounding areas. Hundreds of citizens looking for new opportunities or hoping to make a career change engaged with peers and other professionals. Job seekers attended workshops, took professional head shots, and were interviewed by community experts with the goal of enhancing their chances of employment.
Leon County recognizes that the key to a strong community is equipping citizens with the skills necessary to compete in growing and changing skilled job market. The Leon Works Expo builds upon Leon County’s continued efforts to develop and sustain a rich local economy filled with the best and brightest workers who choose to define their own success.
Leon County Government hosted the Leon Works Expo in collaboration with community partners such as Tallahassee Community College, Leon County Schools, Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality, Career Source Capital Region, City of Tallahassee, Florida Department of Education, Keiser University, Lively Technical Center, the Foundation for Leon County Schools, and World Class Schools.
Attached photos
IMG_1387.jpg - Leon County Commissioners John Dailey, Kristin Dozier, Bill Proctor, and Mary Ann Lindley attend 2016 Leon Works Expo with Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long
IMG_1389.jpg - Students learn from Leon County EMS paramedics
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