YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement to Host 2022 Career Expo
High school students across Southeast Louisiana will participate in the YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Virtual Career Expo 2022 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 18, 2022. Presented by Baptist Community Ministries (BCM), the Career Expo will feature more than 35 local companies, training providers, and educational institutions in high-wage, high-demand industries, who will share insights to help students consider options for their future careers.
Students can watch a quick preview of the vFairs platform to see the available features for this event. They will have access to the platform until June 18, 2022 to view the archived booths and webinars. Students must be registered to participate. To register, email Lauren Stendahl at lauren@jagno.org or go to nolacareerexpo.vfairs.com
The annual YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Virtual Career Expo is part of a collaborative effort to meet the workforce demands of our region’s fast-growing industries. YouthForce NOLA counts on the participation of local employers to align student programming with industry needs.
“Career insights are as fundamental to young people’s success as reading and math. The Career Expo allows us to connect high school students with working professionals to get an inside look at high-wage careers and how to pursue them,” said Cate Swinburn, co-founder & president of YouthForce NOLA. “Thanks to our co-presenter Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans and our many employer partners, students who participate in the Career Expo will become aware of the many career opportunities available to them.”
The companies and training providers participating in this year’s Career Expo represent YouthForce NOLA’s target industry and skill clusters – Digital Media/IT, Health Sciences, Skilled Crafts and Business Services – which are forecasted to provide tens of thousands of high-wage, high-demand jobs locally over the next several years. For example:
LCMC Health and Ochsner Health System will highlight their entry level healthcare careers that provide tuition reimbursement through in-house schooling.
Marquette Transportation, LLC., and Louisiana Green Corps are excited to showcase environmentally sustainable careers in marine transportation and skilled crafts, respectively.
Lucid, the New Orleans-based analytics company that was recently acquired for more than $1 Billion, will showcase tech careers.
Solomon Group Productions, New Orleans & Company, and the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) will highlight careers in business services in the largest career pathway in New Orleans.
“Like YouthForce, we believe that career readiness programs should be integrated into the K-12 experience for our students to be prepared for career and college success,” said Larry Washington, president of Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans. “The annual Career Expo, whether virtual or in-person, is an excellent event for students to explore various careers and gain valuable insights into what it will take for them to pursue those careers.”
As this year’s presenting sponsor, BCM supports the cause to expose as many young people as possible to multiple career options available to them.
“BCM is excited to be the presenting sponsor of this important event,” said Alicia Oliver, program director of Education Grants. “The YouthForce + Junior Achievement Career Expo aligns with our belief that a healthy community provides learning opportunities for all of its residents to develop the cognitive, technical, social, and emotional skills necessary to be successful in career, college, and life.”
About Baptist Community Ministries (BCM):
Baptist Community Ministries (BCM) is a 26-year-old private foundation providing philanthropic services and promoting the health and well-being of our community members in the Greater New Orleans area. BCM partners with local nonprofits and other organizations in an effort to build a healthier community and has awarded over $220 million in grants since inception. In addition, BCM provides direct services through two operating divisions – Chaplaincy Services and Congregational Wellness. By doing so, BCM is able to extend its reach deeper into the community to help those in need. Learn more at www.bcm.org.
About Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans
Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans delivers a variety of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work-readiness programs to nearly 35,000 students across Southeast Louisiana annually. Junior Achievement is committed to inspiring and preparing all young people, kindergarten through 12th grade, to succeed and thrive in our regional and global economies. For more information on JA, visit www.jagno.org, call 504-569-8650 or connect with Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans on Facebook and Twitter (@JAneworleans).
About YouthForce NOLA
YouthForce NOLA is an education, business, and civic collaborative that builds bridges between school and work. Through its network of partner schools, employers, training providers, and community organizations, YouthForce is opening more doors to economic opportunity for New Orleans students. Its vision is that New Orleans public school graduates will thrive economically as a result of being the most sought-after talent for hiring and advancement in our region’s high-wage career. Learn more at youthforcenola.org.