Wayland Union High School will have a job fair for current 10th through 12th grade students from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the high school auxiliary gym.
The fair’s goal is to help students form connections with local businesses.
This project is being led by guidance counselor, Kasey Peters, and the high school guidance department.
Peters said she learned there are fewer job seekers available for every job opening, regardless of education or experience required. There is a deficit of available workers. After talking to local businesses, it
became apparent, she noted, that this trend is very relevant in the West Michigan region.
Mrs. Peters explained that this event “is simply an attempt to help students and employers make connections. This is often times the largest hurdle for our students – they don’t know what they don’t know, they need someone to
help initiate and forge those connections.”
Peters and Wayland Union Schools Superintendent Tim Reeves, reached out to the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce, the Dorr Business Association, and Allegan Area Educational Services Agency (AAESA) work-based learning site placements to form local partnerships.
“We have over 30 businesses planning to attend our job fair, covering each of the following Michigan Career Zones: arts and communications, business management,
marketing and technology, engineering, manufacturing and industrial technology, health science, human services, and natural resources and agriscience.
“Our business attendees range in motivation, with some seeking summer or temporary employees, some seeking to hire students for long-term careers, and others simply looking to promote their field. All participating businesses are encouraged to bring any related materials, such as aone-page flyer, industry props/materials, and job applications.”
Students will come to the Career Fair prepared with a resume in hand. They will then have the opportunity to visit each booth, speak with local employers, and build connections to help boost their career goals.
Peters emphasized “The overarching goal is to develop and maintain relationships between WUHS and local employers, which will allow for mutually productive outcomes for both our students and our community, fostering career education and meeting the needs of our local industries.”
