Page 68 - Fayette County NCG

Education

educating

Amanda Fields
Vice President of the Fayette
T OMORR O W ’ S W ORKFOR CE County Development Authority

Imagine a young person with a natural talent for working with his or her
hands. Consider a technically-minded student who seeks a career right out Amanda Fields, Vice President
of high school. Then there’s another strata of often overlooked, sometimes of the Fayette County Development
Authority, explained it is more of a “festival
stigmatized students for whom college is not an option. Career building atmosphere” where small groups of
could come early – while still a student – for them. students will visit five zones, exploring
different “Worlds of Work” in each.
n economic engine cannot Fayette Works
function without its workforce. Fayette Works, presented by Brent Career Areas Include:
A ready, capable pool of talent Scarbrough & Company, is an exciting • Aviation & Aerospace
Ais necessary for the growth career expo for Fayette County eighth- • Construction & Heavy Equipment
and success of a community and its graders. No stuffy job fair here. Instead, • Energy & Utilities
• Film, Hospitality & Tourism
businesses. From public schools to students are introduced to a variety of
• Healthcare
institutions of higher learning, including careers and industries at an interactive,
• Manufacturing, Engineering & IT
technical school, Fayette County’s hands-on event with the motto, “Find
• Public Safety
workforce future is being actively cultivated. Your Future.”
Fayette County Public Schools

Fayette County Public Schools FCPS calls the workplace an “I consider it a pleasure to work
(FCPS) offers high school students “active learning environment.” with the students of Fayette County
options when it comes to preparing Participants learn by doing, acquiring as they explore their passions through
them for the workplace. Through their new knowledge, skills, and abilities. experiences in the workforce,” said
Work-Based Learning (WBL) & Youth Academic knowledge from years in Melanie Duncan, Coordinator of
Apprenticeship (YAP) program, students the classroom is applied in the Work-Based Learning (WBL) &
are afforded hands-on opportunities in workplace. Students must apply for Youth Apprenticeship (YAP) for
real-world settings. This elective class the program, and the work experience FCPS. “Work-Based Learning is
“connects talented juniors and seniors aligns with the student’s desired an excellent opportunity for all
with industry partners.” career path. students to consider.”

64 Fayette County SOURCE Magazine • Issue 1 • 2025