From the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce:
Join the Chamber as we welcome nearly 500 high school and college students to the Fredericksburg Expo Center for our first ever Intern/Extern Expo on April 26th from 9am-5pm. This is a great opportunity for community businesses to interface with the future of our community’s workforce. Rene Daniels Director of Communications & Community Engagement at Spotsylvania County Public Schools says, “As we prepare the future workforce, events such as the Intern Expo are extremely important. The hands-on experience a student gains from an internship or externship builds student confidence and provides valuable insight of career opportunities.”
Businesses are needed for this event to be a success for our future workforce, industries include Aquaculture/Seafood/Commercial, Fishing/Marine, Forestry/Wood Products/Paper, Manufacturing, Distribution/Logistics, Information/Data Centers, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.
Rebecca Morris, Internship and Work-Study Counselor for Germanna Community College says, “The Intern Expo will allow our area employers the opportunity to see the vast wealth of potential employees coming from our public school systems and local institutions of higher education. Specifically, Germanna students will be able to showcase what they are learning in their classes and demonstrate their abilities for our local employers. The Intern Expo will help to solidify our regional partnerships, foster new relationships, and help our community retain great graduates as members of our workforce. These are the connections we need to identify and promote. We’re proud to partner with the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce on this effort and expect great outcomes.”
Participating students have an opportunity to receive a $1,500 scholarship (2 available). Participating businesses include: Mary Washington Healthcare, Fredericksburg Area Museum, LifeCare Medical Transports, Dominion Raceway & Entertainment, Fraser Wood Elements, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, and many more!
Carley Swaim Walker, Senior Director of Membership & Community Advancement says “The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce serves as a longstanding voice of the business community. In a July 2021 survey to Chamber members, 45% of respondents indicated that lack of workforce was a top concern for their business. We want to address that top concern by tapping into the talent right here in our school systems; secondary and post-secondary. The intern Expo will allow for ours schools and businesses to come together to build upon our workforce here in the Fredericksburg region. The best of the best in business and student leaders will be represented. You do not want to miss out on this opportunity!”
This event and pilot program is supported by Go Virginia and sponsored by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. Other sponsorships and scholarship contributions are still available, contact Carley Swaim Walker at [email protected] to learn more. To register for this event visit the Chamber website at https://fredericksburgchamber.org/events/workforce-now-intern-extern-fair/
