More than 400 job offers were made to high school students at the WOW 2.0 job fair at Shelton State Community College on April 6.
Twenty-seven companies participated, recruiting 978 positions. Students from 12 school systems in the nine-county area of western Alabama participated.
High school graduates were able to speak with professionals from industry and post-secondary schools. They have engaged with employers and colleges in seeking part-time, full-time, and internship learning opportunities.
“We make sure they’re well placed after they graduate, whether that’s straight into college or straight into a career. Today it’s all about careers,” said Dr. Mike Daria, Superintendent of Schools for the City of Tuscaloosa.
“A lot of them don’t know what we do, so we can tell them a bit more about what we do,” said Pamela Jones of Bama Dining. “We have a lot of entry-level positions and we can work any schedule. My story to students is to go out and work for us now and save some money before graduation.
“Company participation in events like WOW 2.0 helps us as a community keep individuals in surrounding counties and Tuscaloosa to stay here, work here, and thrive here,” said Tusamba Carter of DCH Health. System.
Companies present at the event were ABH Enterprises/Mid States, Alabama Department of Corrections, Ard Logistics, Bama Dining, BF Goodrich, Brose Tuscaloosa Inc., Buffalo Rock Company, Coral Industries, DCH Health System, Embassy Suites Tuscaloosa, Foster Poultry Farms, Lear Corporation, Holiday Inn Express University/Candlewood Suites, IAC Group, K&A Builders, Inc., Martinrea Tuscaloosa, Peco Foods, Inc., Premier Service Company, Schnellecke Logistics Alabama, SMP Automotive Systems of Alabama, Inc., SSAB Wear Solutions, Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility, The Ōnin Group-MBUSI, The Onin Group-Phifer, Warrior Met Coal, WestRock Eutaw and ZF Chassis Systems.
After WOW 2.0, on April 26, 2022, West AlabamaWorks! will honor students who have entered apprenticeships or secured full-time employment through WOW 2.0. West Alabama Regional Signing Day takes place at Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy at 5:30 p.m.
