Excitement filled the Lexington Convention Center when 1,300 freshmen from three Fayette County public schools explored dozens of interactive exhibits at The Academies of Lexington’s career exploration event. Sponsored by Lexmark, the event invited ninth graders from Bryan Station, Frederick Douglass and Tates Creek high schools to engage in hands-on learning activities in Lexington’s most in-demand industries.
At every turn, students were invited to roll up their sleeves and discover career paths in engineering, manufacturing and skilled trades; medical and health sciences; information technology; and professional and public services. A hot pink Link-Belt excavator, a real LexTran bus and Amteck’s electrical components learning center were just a few of dozens of engaging displays.
With some 50 local businesses and organizations represented, the event plays an important role in shaping the future of Lexington’s workforce said Jade Miles, community relations and student program manager at Lexmark. “Lexington is a great place to work and live, and we want people to stay here. There are so many jobs in STEM and other fields that are waiting to be filled. Through this partnership, we can help build our future workforce and ensure a stronger talent pipeline for Lexington,” she said.
Lexmark’s new partnership with The Academies of Lexington will bring a wealth of opportunities to Academy students, and the career exploration event is just the beginning.
At every turn, students were invited to roll up their sleeves and discover career paths in engineering, manufacturing and skilled trades; medical and health sciences; information technology; and professional and public services. A hot pink Link-Belt excavator, a real LexTran bus and Amteck’s electrical components learning center were just a few of dozens of engaging displays.
With some 50 local businesses and organizations represented, the event plays an important role in shaping the future of Lexington’s workforce said Jade Miles, community relations and student program manager at Lexmark. “Lexington is a great place to work and live, and we want people to stay here. There are so many jobs in STEM and other fields that are waiting to be filled. Through this partnership, we can help build our future workforce and ensure a stronger talent pipeline for Lexington,” she said.
Lexmark’s new partnership with The Academies of Lexington will bring a wealth of opportunities to Academy students, and the career exploration event is just the beginning.
FCPS Superintendent Manny Caulk with Lexmark's Sheri Evans Depp at the Career Exploration Event.
“One of the things we are thrilled about is the opportunity to give back to Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS). For our focus on education, particularly STEM, The Academies of Lexington is a great fit. By being able to give $150,000, we are able to focus on career exploration, which is the event that’s going on today, and will also be able to do a summer externship for teachers,” added Sheri Depp, Lexmark’s director of global talent management, diversity, community, and corporate business partners.
Gigi Wells, a freshman at the Academies of Frederick Douglass High School, said that speaking with a Lexington police officer helped her realize her interest in the field. “This really motivated me more. I wasn’t sure what Academy I wanted to explore, but this helped me decide on Professional Services.”
Tates Creek High School freshman Jacob Clemons said he hopes to enter the Academy of Design and Engineering, to follow in the footsteps of his brother—a nuclear engineer. “I got to control robot arms in the IT section today, and that was cool. This really gives me an idea of what I might want to do in the future.”
Gigi Wells, a freshman at the Academies of Frederick Douglass High School, said that speaking with a Lexington police officer helped her realize her interest in the field. “This really motivated me more. I wasn’t sure what Academy I wanted to explore, but this helped me decide on Professional Services.”
Tates Creek High School freshman Jacob Clemons said he hopes to enter the Academy of Design and Engineering, to follow in the footsteps of his brother—a nuclear engineer. “I got to control robot arms in the IT section today, and that was cool. This really gives me an idea of what I might want to do in the future.”
With the future of industry in Lexington being hinged upon the availability of a highly skilled workforce, exposure to career paths early on is more critical than ever. “We have a huge labor shortage in construction,” said Todd Johnson, executive vice president of Building Institute of Central Kentucky. “We hope to expose young people to an opportunity that we think they don’t hear a lot about in school, and that is the construction trades. There’s no better time than right now to get into construction as a young person, especially in Kentucky.”
Claudia Carroll, talent acquisition market manager at KentuckyOne Health, echoed the importance of introducing high schoolers to career paths of interest. “Working in Healthcare, we are all about serving others and improving the community. One way we can improve the community is to provide for generations of healthcare providers to come by building our future workforce.”
Claudia Carroll, talent acquisition market manager at KentuckyOne Health, echoed the importance of introducing high schoolers to career paths of interest. “Working in Healthcare, we are all about serving others and improving the community. One way we can improve the community is to provide for generations of healthcare providers to come by building our future workforce.”
FCPS Superintendent Manny Caulk added, “It’s important that our students see that learning takes place well beyond the classroom. To be able to see those who are currently in the field—whether it’s medical, information technology, or engineering—they are seeing practitioners, those who work in the career they aspire to do. They see the latest technology and the latest research, and it raises their expectation for what’s possible for the future.”
The Academies of Lexington are small learning communities within Fayette County public high schools that allow students to connect what they are learning in the classroom with real-world applications.
If you or your business would like to get involved, please contact:
Natalie Shepard
Partnership Manager, Business & Education Network
859.226.1629
nshepard@commercelexington.com
The Academies of Lexington are small learning communities within Fayette County public high schools that allow students to connect what they are learning in the classroom with real-world applications.
If you or your business would like to get involved, please contact:
Natalie Shepard
Partnership Manager, Business & Education Network
859.226.1629
nshepard@commercelexington.com
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