Annual career expo to take place at Shelton

TUSCALOOSA – The fifth-annual Worlds of Work (WOW) Career Expo will bring some 150 industry leaders and education programs to Shelton State Community College Oct. 10-11 to mentor more than 4,000 eighth grade students from across West Alabama.

“WOW is truly a one-of-a-kind experience for our region’s students, said Donny Jones, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama Chief Operating Officer and West Alabama Works Executive Director.

“They can actually try welding with McAbee Construction. They can experience robotics with Mercedes-Benz. They can even practice surgery demonstrations with DCH Health System. This event provides a spark for a bright future,” he said.

Students in grades 9-12 and their parents from Tuscaloosa, Hale, Pickens, Greene, Sumter, Marengo, Bibb, Fayette and Lamar counties are invited to WOW Varsity, a free continuation of the expo on Oct. 10 from 2 to 6 p.m., also at Shelton State. High school students will have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with industry leaders

“This is the beginning of their pathway where kids can see what opportunities are available and start thinking about the careers they want to have to make their life successful,” said President and COO of McAbee Construction Gary Nichols. Nichols also is the the chairman of the Region 3 Workforce Development Council.

Worlds included in WOW are agriculture, construction, cosmetology, education, energy and utilities, engineering and environment, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing/automotive/logistics, public safety and transportation.

WOW is a project by West Alabama Works and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.