Workforce Partnership of Shelby County’s 9th annual Career Exploration Academy was recently featured on WDTN News, shining a spotlight on the event’s impact on high school students in the region. The two-day event, held at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, welcomed close to 1,000 students from grades 8 through 12 to explore hands-on career opportunities and connect with dozens of local companies.
Each year, the Academy grows, attracting more students and businesses eager to showcase the potential that Shelby County has to offer. Through interactive exhibits, students can engage with local industries like manufacturing, engineering, agriculture, and skilled trades. This year’s event included unique opportunities, like learning the essentials of surveying, trying hands-on tasks in collision repair, and seeing real-world applications of tech-based data.
“College isn’t for everyone,” said Deb McDermott, Executive Director of Workforce Partnership of Shelby County, in her interview with WDTN. “While some jobs do require a college education, many do not, as long as you’re trainable and have skills like problem-solving and communication.”
Lt. Governor Jon Husted also spoke to WDTN, reinforcing the importance of events like this to foster Ohio’s future workforce. “We have more jobs than people to fill them,” Husted explained. “If young people don’t get exposed to career pathways, how are they supposed to know?” He highlighted Ohio’s critical role in the national supply chain, emphasizing that “you can’t do ‘Made in America’ without ‘Made in Ohio.’”
The Career Exploration Academy helps students explore potential career paths close to home, gain new skills, and start envisioning their futures in Shelby County. Workforce Partnership of Shelby County is committed to helping students find fulfilling local careers while supporting the growth of regional industries.