Careers in Gear Expo to Benefit Local High School Students

Medford, OR — On Thursday, February 6, the Rogue Workforce Partnership, in collaboration with numerous partners including Junior Achievement, College Dreams, local industry leaders, and a variety of school and training institutions, will hold the 10th Annual Careers-in-Gear event at the Medford School District Education Center. 2,000 students are expected to attend from local high schools throughout the region.

The event brings together key business leaders, training facilities, colleges and high school students and teachers into one large trade show style event. According to Jim Fong, Executive Director of The Rogue Workforce Partnership: "This is not your run of the mill high school career fair. We focus especially on middle skill jobs - those jobs requiring more than a high school diploma, but less than a 4 year degree." Careers in Gear is one of the key initiatives of the Rogue Workforce Partnership. It focuses on high school students - the young adults who, every year, will become new workers entering the workforce.

The event brings in representatives from some not so well known industry sectors from the region, such as E-Commerce/Information Technology and Advanced Manufacturing. It also has more well known industries represented such as Healthcare, Public Safety, and Construction. All these industries have high-demand, high-wage career opportunities. This event encourages young people to learn about career pathways located here in the Rogue Valley.

According to Barbara Smith of Junior Achievement (Careers-in-Gear Event Manager), this event will be different from other career fairs. "It's exciting to have so many business leaders volunteer their time and sharing their world and experiences with our future workforce. They are showing local kids the business community believes in their potential and they are sharing tools on how to be successful," said Smith.

Platinum Sponsors:

Rogue Workforce Partnership

Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington

Providence Health & Services

College Dreams

Quantum

AllCare Health

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington
Junior Achievement inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy through hands-on programs that promote work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Established locally in 1950, JA is an affiliate of Junior Achievement USA, which has worked for nearly a century to provide economic and financial education for K-12 students. This year, more than 4,700 volunteers will teach JA programs in more than 1,800 classrooms, serving over 45,000 students in Oregon and SW Washington. Visit www.jaorswwa.org for more information.