At a Glance
Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center (WBACTC) seniors are required to attend a career fair with local employers to strengthen their career prospects and opportunities.
Description
WBACTC collaborates with the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, PA CareerLink® Luzerne County and the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board to host the CenterPoint Career Fair at the CenterPoint Commerce and Trade Park East for senior students. First implemented in 2018, the career fair provides students an opportunity to practice interviewing skills, learn about potential employers and their career field, and possibly secure an interview or employment.
The career fair is possible in large part due to the close working relationship between WBACTC and the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, the PA CareerLink® Luzerne County and the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board. Representatives from each of these organizations sit on the local advisory committee. The agencies approached Director Dr. Anthony Guariglia with the possibility of having students participate in a job fair with area employers, and the idea grew from there.
All WBACTC seniors are required to attend the job fair and must provide evidence of meeting with a minimum of three employers during their visit. To prepare students for the event, teachers help them with their resumes and interviewing skills. Over 30 employers participated in the event during the first year, and WBACTC expected about 40 to participate in the May 2019 fair. Approximately 120 to 130 students participate each year. For the 2018 fair, United Way provided transportation to the event and then back to the school. In 2019, the transportation had to be paid for locally.
WBACTC and its partners plan to continue hosting the career fair because of the valuable opportunities it provides to students.
Impact
The career fair benefits students in many ways. It challenges them to create their resume and apply their interviewing skills. Every student had the opportunity to meet and talk with potential employers and to learn more about career opportunities in their field or a related field. Some students were hired at the actual event after participating in interviews. Others secured additional interviews scheduled to take place after the event.
Contact
Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center
http://wbactc.org/
Dr. Anthony C. Guariglia, Administrative Director
aguariglia@wbactc.org