#LifeReady Expo

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

In 2018, Henrico County Public Schools’ Department of Workforce and Career Development hosted it’s first-ever “CTE Letter-of-Intent Signing Day,” which raised awareness of our programs and provided a unique opportunity for our students and business partners. As a result of continuing to build partnerships and promote access, we held our first ever #LifeReady Expo in October 2019. The purpose of this event was to build relationships between students and employers at the beginning of the school year instead of the end. Furthermore, it enabled employers to see our students firsthand, and for our students to show off their “soft skills.” One hundred and fifty-three employers attended and between 3,000 and 4,000 students and parents were there. At the event, students met with employers, learned about career pathways, interviewed with employers and developed relationships. This program developed strong relationships among our employers and students and many stayed in touch throughout the school year. In addition, this initial contact provided a vested interest for all involved and has created more opportunities for our students, while also helping to solve the problem of a depleting workforce.