Students can apply at Worlds of Work 2.0 job fair
![Allison Miller, nursing student at Shelton State Community College, gives directions to Lillian Jackson, a student at Paul W. Bryant High School, as she gives CPR to a medical mannequin during the West Alabama Worlds of Work event held at Shelton State in October 2017. High school seniors and postsecondary students will interview for jobs at the Worlds of Work 2.0 job fair, scheduled Feb. 7, 2018. [Staff File Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]](/gcdn/authoring/2018/01/09/NTTN/ghows-DA-624c0084-84ff-3427-e053-0100007f3155-0ed0fb57.jpeg?width=660&height=404&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A local economic development program will host a job fair for high school juniors and seniors and postsecondary students next month, encouraging applications for jobs that are in high demand in West Alabama.
The job fair is called Worlds of Work 2.0, an expansion of the massive Worlds of Work employment expo that brings thousands of students together at Shelton State Community College each year to learn about various trades and professions.
Donny Jones, the director of West Alabama Works and the chief operating officer of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, said in a press release that the event will help area businesses and industries fill immediate workforce needs.
“This event is the next level up from Worlds of Work,” Jones said. “At WOW, we provided eighth-graders in our nine counties with hands-on opportunities to learn about our industries. At this event, high school seniors and postsecondary students will actually be interviewing for jobs, not just practicing job interview skills. High school juniors will be exposed to high-demand jobs and postsecondary education options.”
The two-day event will kick off Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Shelton State's Martin Campus.
Jones said most area job sectors will be represented, including agriculture, construction, public safety, manufacturing, health care, education and more.
“In our area alone, we have 4,400 open positions, many of which don’t require a four-year degree,” Jones said. “With our booming economy, we anticipate this number will grow rapidly. This event will help close the gap between unfilled jobs and qualified workers, while at the same time, reaching out to our workforce of tomorrow.”
According to the release, 15 schools, 12 colleges and 43 businesses are already registered to participate. Other companies and industries can continue to register until Friday.
Students can sign up for interviews ahead of time until next Wednesday, but are encouraged to attend the event even if they don’t have an interview lined up.
High school seniors and post-secondary students will attend WOW 2.0 on Feb. 7, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. The next day, high school juniors will attend from 8:30 a.m. until 1:05 p.m.
Anyone seeking more information can contact Brittani Colburn at the Chamber of Commerce at 391-0334 or brittani@tuscaloosachamber.com.