CareerSource Chipola, Chipola College, and the Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council are teaming up with state partners Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida TRADE Consortium, and the Manufacturers Association of Florida to connect the local workforce with careers in advanced manufacturing.
Along with other regional workforce boards across the state, CareerSource Chipola will host the Florida Manufacturing Career Fair on April 22, to give those seeking employment the opportunity to meet with local manufacturers.
“Manufacturers in Florida are growing and hiring,” said Nancy Stephens, Executive Director, Manufacturers Association of Florida. “They want employees looking for meaningful careers that make a difference in others’ lives. Today’s manufacturing is high skill and high wage. Those wages circulate through the economy, improving the quality of life for all citizens.”
The Florida TRADE Consortium, a U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant Program grantee, provides accelerated technical training that gives students the skills needed to compete for jobs in advanced manufacturing.
“Our consortium colleges are located across the entire state of Florida,” said Dr. Gary Graham, Director of Florida TRADE. “The upcoming Manufacturing Career Fair will provide a great opportunity for our students to showcase their training and qualifications.”
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “This will be an exciting event for Florida manufacturing businesses and jobseekers as Florida companies will be seeking employees for high-skill, high-wage jobs in manufacturing. Florida’s manufacturing industry ranks in the top 10 in the nation. By engaging an eager and experienced workforce with events such as the Florida Manufacturing Career Fair, we will continue to grow this industry in our state.”
The Florida Manufacturing Career Fair is a component of the “Drive to 1,000,” a Florida TRADE Consortium initiative to place 1,000 Florida TRADE students into manufacturing jobs over the next year; however, the Career Fair is open to all and may provide opportunities to anyone interested in a hands-on, high-tech career.
“Advanced Manufacturing is an important industry targeted for future growth in Florida,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Chris Hart IV. “CareerSource Florida is a proud partner in this collaborative effort to help Florida’s manufacturers expand and compete, and Floridians secure rewarding, well-paying careers.”
In Marianna, the Career Fair will take place 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the CareerSource Chipola career center, 4636 Highway 90.
