Fair To Introduce Graduating Seniors To Employers

By BARBARA ROUTEN

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Businesses looking for vibrant and enthusiastic employees may sign up by March 27 to participate in the Future Fair, community job fairs presented by the Future Career Academy, Hillsborough County Public Schools, and Workforce Development Partners Corp.

Hillsborough County is facing a serious shortage of skilled labor, especially in industries such as logistics, construction, information technology, manufacturing, agribusiness, industrial trades, healthcare, and financial and professional services.

The Future Career Academy’s Future Fair offers thriving businesses and industries a lifeline, a place where recruiters can meet and talk with hundreds of motivated, prepared graduating seniors from area high schools who are excited to become part of a dynamic workforce.

Non-college-bound, job-seeking high school seniors complete the Future Career Academy’s integrated curriculum, which is focused on workforce development. They learn about local industries via business field trips and informational videos. They are taught financial literacy, resume and interview preparation, and other career-related content with real-world application. At the Future Fair, they demonstrate their readiness to employers in need of hardworking talent.

“Since this program started five years ago in Plant City High School, it has been an integral part of our economic development and successful for our schools and our businesses,” said City of Plant City Mayor Rick Lott. “Now that it has spread to other schools, their students, too, are getting prepared for the job market, and the business community must be involved in the process. After they hire these eager, capable workers, they tend to stay in the area, building industries and contributing to the community’s economic well-being.”

The Future Career Academy is housed in nine Hillsborough County high schools, so there will be four community Future Fairs:

• Brandon: April 15 at The Regent, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• East Tampa: April 21 at Middleton High School, 9 a.m. to noon
• Plant City: April 23 at HCC/Plant City Trinkle Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• South Hillsborough: April 28 at Lennard High School, 9 a.m. to noon.

Details are available on the Future Academy website.

Gerrard Roberts, human resources manager of International Paper Co., affirmed the academy’s impact.

“We’re really excited about being part of this and helping connect these students with great opportunities,” he said. “When we heard the stories of successful job placements from other businesspeople who support the Future Career Academy, we knew we wanted to get involved.”

Other participants and event sponsors include national and local employers such as Gordon Food Service, Stingray Chevrolet, Mosaic, BayCare Health System, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Harbor Homes and the Suncoast Credit Union.

Successful area companies that are hiring must register by Friday, March 27 to participate in any of the career academy’s annual Future Fairs.

Levels of sponsorship vary from $500 for a job fair table to $50,000 for a job fair table and benefits that include prime, year-long Hillsborough Countywide recognition.