Bedford Chamber Hosts Career & Technical Education Expo Connecting Students with Local Career Opportunities

The Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce is helping build the region’s future workforce by bringing together local employers, educators, and the next generation of talent through its annual Career & Technical Education (CTE) Expo, a workforce development initiative designed to introduce Bedford County students to the careers that power the region’s economy.

Held on March 18 at Susie G. Gibson Science and Technology Center and presented by the Bedford County Office of Economic Development, the event connected over 700 Bedford County Public Schools students with 25 local employers and organizations representing industries critical to the region’s economy. 

Events like the CTE Expo demonstrate how collaboration between business and education can strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline by helping students explore careers early while giving employers the opportunity to invest in the next generation of skilled workers. 

The event provides students with the opportunity to speak directly with professionals, explore career pathways, and see firsthand how the skills they are learning in school translate to real-world opportunities in the local workforce. 

The Chamber works closely with Bedford County Public Schools and local employers to design the CTE Expo each year, carefully selecting the grade level and timing within the school year to ensure students are exposed to career pathways at the moment when they begin making decisions about future coursework and career interests.

“Workforce development starts when students begin to understand what careers exist and how their interests and skills can translate into opportunities,” said Kayla Boone, President/CEO of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce. “The CTE Expo helps create those connections while giving local employers the chance to engage with the future workforce of our region.”

By convening employers, educators, and community partners in one place, the Chamber creates a unique opportunity for students to explore careers while helping local businesses invest in the next generation of talent.

“Career exploration at this age isn’t about deciding exactly what you want to be when you grow up, it’s about discovering what’s possible,” said Pam Armstrong, Director of Economic Development for Bedford County. “This event gives students a chance to experience local industries, try something new, and start connecting their interests with future opportunities. With strong career and technical education programs and local companies involved, students in Bedford County can see that great careers, and the training for them, exist close to home.”

Through partnerships with Bedford County Public Schools and regional employers, this event helps students explore career options early while giving businesses the opportunity to connect with the next generation of skilled workers. 

“This event reflects the strength of Career and Technical Education in Bedford County and the powerful partnerships we have with the Chamber, Economic Development, and our local businesses,” said Trevor Hoss, Supervisor of CTE & Workplace Readiness for Bedford County Public Schools. “Their willingness to invest time with our students is what helps build a strong, sustainable workforce pipeline for our community.”

Events like the CTE Expo demonstrate the power of collaboration between education and industry and highlight the many career pathways available within the Bedford area. 

For more information about workforce development initiatives and upcoming Chamber programs, visit www.bedfordareachamber.com.