First YouthForce Job Fair & Career Showcase attracts teens
For the Gazette
STEVENS POINT – The Boys & Girls Club of Portage County launched its YouthForce workforce development program for youth and teens with a “Summer Job Fair and Career Showcase” on May 4 at the Berard Center in Stevens Point.
Fifty employers and groups presented job and career opportunities to over 150 teens and youth. The fair was free to all employers and teen attendees. About half of the teens were new to the Boys & Girls Club. Younger children attending the Berard Center also walked through the job fair to gain valuable experience and had fun learning about jobs and careers.
Workforce Development Coordinator, Jeremy Higgins, shared, “our goal for this event was to connect a wide range of employers with teens looking for summer jobs and local career options. It was inspiring to see the positive energy and genuine engagement between teens and local businesses. I think everyone left happy, and some even had new job leads.”
The job fair included employer stations with chances to win prizes. Teens received educational and career materials, on-the-spot interviews for summer positions, fun activities, food and beverages, and even a virtual reality station to experience 23 different careers through “Transfr VR” virtual reality headsets.
Boys & Girls Clubs’ YouthForce workforce development program is a new initiative made possible through grants from Taco Bell, US Ventures, Associated Bank, Best Buy, and a partnership grant with Mid-State Technical College and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
YouthForce programming is being developed for all age groups served by the Boys & Girls Club. Career exploration activities are offered to younger children. A Junior Staff Program is being provided to junior high school students and mentoring, coaching, and job placement services are provided to high school students. Professional development opportunities are offered to college students who work at the Boys & Girls Club.
For more information about YouthForce workforce development programming at the Boys & Girls Club or the Summer Job Fair and Career Showcase, contact Jeremy Higgins, Workforce Development Coordinator – 715.341.4386 or [email protected].