Students at the Career Tech Expo put on by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools were able to try their hand at welding under the supervision of professional tradespeople.
Students learn from the pros at Career Tech Expo
December 2, 2024
They practiced CPR on dummies and saw sparks fly as they learned welding techniques. They got behind the camera to shoot live video and went under the hood to diagnose vehicle malfunctions.
More than 1,000 high school students from Fresno and surrounding counties may have gotten a glimpse of their futures at the 10th annual Career Tech Expo.
Organized by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and sponsored by The Foundation @FCOE and Chevron, the event gives students in ROP programs a chance to get hands-on career training and make connections with employers in the area.
The Career Tech Expo was held Oct. 23 at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, home of Minor League Baseball’s Grizzlies. Students arrived on busses in the morning and filed into the stadium for a full-day expo. After a welcome address in the stands, students explored booths representing more than 70 employers, programs and educational institutions in the Central Valley.
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At the booths, industry professionals provided students with real-life demonstrations of career skills. Heart surgeons explained anatomy while guiding students on dissecting a pig heart. Building and construction trades apprenticeship programs helped students erect small structures on site. Colleges and adult schools, military, fire departments, law enforcement, news stations, transportation companies, a local tortilla factory and more were on hand to demonstrate the merits of their respective employment opportunities.
“It’s more than just showing up and talking to somebody. It’s actually showing up and doing something,” said Anthony Ayerza, executive director for the Regional Occupational Program for Career Technical Education for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in an interview with KSEE24 News (yourcentravalley.com).
In the afternoon, parents and community members were invited to the event for an opportunity to speak to industry professionals about career planning and future employment opportunities. This portion of the event drew 2,500 parents and other family members who could find new employers or link with organizations that help them up-skill and advance their own careers.
Organizers say a number of students have been hired immediately after graduation as a direct result of participating in the Career Tech Expo.
Heart surgeons guided students interested in medical careers in dissecting a pig heart.
The full-day Career Tech Expo was held at Chukchansi Park in Fresno giving building trades students the space to erect structures with the help of local trade apprenticeship programs.
Students practice live video.
The event was held at Chukchansi Park in Fresno.
A medical dummy was available for health career students to practice CPR.
The event was held at Chukchansi Park in Fresno.
Students meet and learn from professional auto technicians.