The Trade Careers Expo wraps up another successful year!

The Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo on Sept 26 has wrapped up another successful event.  

​The purpose of this event was to introduce high school Juniors and Seniors, Veterans, currently serving Military Personnel, and referred public and private agencies to exciting career opportunities.
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Student attendance has almost doubled (1436) compared to 2017 (771). Students came from Douglas, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, Coos, and Curry counties. They were able to experience hands-on activities and interact with 113 businesses staffed by 339 people.

“I had no idea what sparked my interest, but being here made me realize that there are a lot more options than what it seems out there."  - Mary Burnett, 12th grade

Why we need this event? Skilled trade workers are needed across the country in many fields including high tech, trade, and industrial sectors. Estimates of current need indicates that over 2 million skilled trade professions are needed now. Baby boomer retirements will continue to fuel this need for several years. The average age of these workers is currently 55 nationally, and 50 in Oregon.
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Why we want these skills? The wages and benefits are good and the work plentiful. Skills and certifications are often obtained through industry specific training and certification programs. Most of these careers do not require a college education, but having some college can demonstrate your potential and strengths and help you move up the career ladder and wage levels faster. 

“Allowing the youth to climb on the equipment, experience it, touch it, run it, and do the boom lifts and run the excavators — this is an opportunity they wouldn’t get anywhere else.  This allows them to experience opportunities they may not have considered because they may not know anyone in these trades.”    - John Jenkins, Phoenix Charter School General Educ. Development instructor

Trades represented in the 2019 expo included: Aviation and Rail; Archaeology; Architecture; Engineering; Geology; Survey; Public Safety Carpentry; Cement Masonry; Heavy Equipment Operation; Welding; Diesel Engine Repair; Manufacturing; Mechanics; Military; Plumbing; Pipefitting; Steamfitting; Iron Working Skilled Labor; Wildland Fire Fighting; and others.  
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This is a very important event that can change lives and build careers. Let’s make our youth and veterans know about this event and take the time to attend the next session!  For more information see www.empowerthepossible.org and www.facebook.com/southernoregontradecareers/.  Photos and quotes from www.empowerthepossible.org.