Leon County Helps Bridge Skilled Job Gap with Third Year of Leon Works
Building on the success of the last two years, Leon County Government hosted the Leon Works Expo, connecting more than 400 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 26,000 skilled careers will become available in the Capital County region."For Leon Works attendees, today was a big step towards their future success,” said Leon County Commission Chairman John E. Dailey. "High paying job opportunities are out there, and the expo’s more than 100 exhibitors really demonstrate that.”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. “Today we challenged our students and job seekers alike to define their own success,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “For three years, Leon County has been a catalyst for bridging the skilled job gap of the future. Whether you want to be a mason, paramedic, plumber, or so much more, we had it all at Leon Works.”By 9:30 a.m., high school juniors and seniors interested in joining the skilled workforce began exploring more than 100 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 professionals 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 the opportunities that Canon has to offer,” said Chris Niro, sales executive with Canon Solutions. “The Expo provided the perfect opportunity to share info about career paths some may not have known existed.”In the afternoon, the Leon Works Expo was open to job seekers throughout Leon County. 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 Leon County Schools, Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality, CareerSource Capital Region, City of Tallahassee, Florida Department of Education, Keiser University, Lively Technical Center, World Class Schools and the Tallahassee Builders Association. For more information, contact Heather Peeples, Leon County Administration at (850) 606-5300 / PeeplesH@LeonCountyFl.gov or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov .
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