SAWDC Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo
September 28-29, 2011
A project of the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council
(SAWDC), the SAWDC Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo is an
industry-led initiative that pulls together more than 115 regional
companies to engage students through hands-on, career related
activities over the two-day event. Businesses develop and staff the
"Worlds" that students visit. Each World is led by a chairperson,
called a "World Leader", who engages companies within the
respective industry to create the central element of the expo, the
hands-on activities. Worlds work for months to engage partners,
identify careers to highlight, and create hands-on interactions
that link careers to the classroom. Visiting the event for just
under two hours, students pick their favorites of twelve Worlds to
visit and learn about careers available close to home. Students
visiting the World of Aerospace stepped onto a mock runway which
directed them to career-related interactions in the Aerospace
industry. In the World of Safety, students donned personal
protective equipment then climbed onto scaffolding to paint a
mural. Outside, students visiting the World of Construction could
choose from activities ranging from hammering nails, building a
brick wall, or operating a mini excavator to move piles of
sand.
The following twelve Industries were represented in the Worlds:
Energy, Healthcare, Communications, Public Safety, Construction,
Safety, Engineering & Architecture, Maritime, Aerospace,
Hospitality & Tourism, Automotive Technology, and
Manufacturing.
In 2011, the event included 9,500 students from 76 schools in
the eight-county region, 950 teachers, counselors and parent
chaperones, 200 general volunteers and 509 exhibitor volunteers
from 184 companies and organizations.
For additional information on the 2011 event, or for information
on how to be involved in the 2012 Worlds of Opportunity, please
contact SAWDC at (251) 445-2090.
Thank you to our 2011 Contributors
