In cooperation with North Alabama Works, Northwest-Shoals Community College will host the Worlds of Work career expo Sept. 26-27. 

More than 2,400 eighth-graders from Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties will meet with area employers and college representatives Thursday and Friday at NW-SCC for the WOW career expo. 

“We are looking to build on last year’s event and make it even better for our area students,” said NW-SCC President Dr. Glenda Colagross. “This can be a gamechanger for today’s students. By showing them all the exciting opportunities available to them in our area, we believe we can help get them started on the best pathway at an earlier age.” 

The goal of WOW is to educate and attract youth to the high-demand, high-wage careers available in this area. 

Students will have an opportunity to visit nine “worlds”: agriculture, hospitality/tourism, construction, manufacturing/automotive, energy/utilities, public service, cyber/IT, transportation and healthcare. 

Stephanie McCulloch, assistant director of North Alabama Works, said the WOW expo is a new way to expose youth to career opportunities in this area. 

“We are focusing this effort on eighth-graders to ensure they are well-informed about careers and the educational pathways to them,” said McCulloch. “In the ninth grade, students have to make some big decisions as to the paths they want their education to take, and we want them to be as knowledgeable as possible when they have to make those choices.” 

High school students, along with their parents, will have the same opportunity to attend WOW Sept. 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The format of the expo will allow them to speak directly with the businesses and find out from employers what it takes to work for their company. 

College representatives will also be available to answer any student questions related to industry training requirements and to provide financial assistance options. 

NW-SCC will dismiss classes on the Phil Campbell and Shoals campuses Sept. 26 and Sept. 27 during the WOW event. Student services and campus offices will be closed to the general public for the duration of the event. 

Visit the North Alabama Worlds of Work website for more information on the event.