SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Washoe County youth will have a chance to learn more about the careers and industries available in the Reno-Sparks area on February 9 for Washoe County Ready for Life Job Shadow Day. More than 150 students will be participating in the inaugural event across the county by touring and job shadowing at 27 area businesses. Event organizer Washoe County Ready for Life arranged the day to expose youth to career paths and employers they may not have considered.
“This event is focusing on the vital connection between education and employment,” said Ready for Life Employment Group Chair, Helyse Turner. “Ready for Life is focused on helping youth see the opportunities available to them and helping them towards graduation and their careers.”
Youth from local service providers Truckee Meadows Boys & Girls Club, Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center, Washoe County School District, Washoe County Social Services, Community Services Agency, Silver Stage High School and Fernley High School will take part in the day. While youth will benefit from the day, employers also have a chance to showcase their businesses and talk about their industries. Some employers will be doing hands on training with one or two students. Others will be engaging students by giving them a tour of the facility and showing them what working for that company is like.
Participating employers include Anixter International, Atlantis Casino, B & J Manufacturing, Big O Tires – East Fourth Street, Circus Circus, Edward Jones Investments – Greg Martin, Electratherm, Hamilton Solar, Jensen Pre-Cast, John Drakulich Insurance Company, KNPB, Law Offices at 18 Winter St., Mr. Hubcap, Northern Nevada Electrical Training Center, Northern Nevada Medical Center, NV Energy, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Tire, Rick’s Auto Service, SignCrafters, St. Mary’s Center for Health & Fitness, Tripp Enterprises, Truckee Meadows Community College, Washoe County Library System, Western Apprenticeship Coordinators Association – Sheet Metal Workers and Plumbers & Pipefitters and Z Dentistry.
Launched in 2005, Ready for Life is a collaborative cross-agency effort to improve Nevada’s success at engaging and graduating students “ready for life” and reengaging those who prematurely left school. Convened by Nevada Public Education Foundation, dozens of public and private organizations are partnering in the belief that as they work together, students will be more likely to complete high school and gain appropriate postsecondary education or training to become productive, contributing members of society. Partners include local agencies, non-profits, community-based organizations, education entities including local school districts, technical schools and higher education, faith-based organizations, concerned parents, and elected officials.
