Preparing students to make informed choices about career paths and courses of study they pursue while in high school is one of the objectives of the workforce development programs for the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.
To meet that objective, the Chamber recently held a Career Awareness Fair for 1,200 eighth graders at Cleveland State Community College. “It is not too early in eighth grade to begin thinking about what careers will be available for these students and what preparation they need in order to become part of a qualified workforce for our community,” Sherry Crye, director of workforce development, said.
The Career Awareness Fair consisted of exhibits from the Career Technical Education programs offered in the three local high schools, as well as some of the programs offered at Cleveland State Community College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Business and industry exhibitors included Cleveland Utilities, Franklin Academy, Lewis Group Architects, Life Care Center of Cleveland, Lonza, and Wright Brothers Construction. Representing service careers were Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, Bradley Fire and Rescue, Cleveland Fire and Rescue, Cleveland Police Department, Life Force and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.
Eighth-graders also participated in College 101 and a Jeopardy-type game, presented by Cleveland State. These programs allowed middle-school students an opportunity to explore post-secondary options, what is needed to be a successful employee or college student, and the need for them to begin thinking about which option is best for them as they enroll in high school courses that will best prepare them post-secondary.