Temple, TX – The Temple Economic Development Corporation (Temple EDC), Temple Chamber of Commerce and local industries partnered with the Temple Independent School District (TISD) for an 8^th Grade Career Fair. The Career Fair has become an annual event that seeks to raise awareness about optional career clusters as well as opportunities to earn direct-to-work certifications and college credits while in high school. The Career Fair served approximately 685 students visiting Temple High School in the three-day event.

“The Career Fair encourages students to explore careers of interest in a way to demonstrate the relevance of education. said Temple EDC, Vice President, Charley Ayres. We aim to raise awareness among the students about optional career clusters, opportunities to earn direct-to-work certifications and college credits while in high school, as well as, interact with community business partners which provide real life career opportunities and conversations relating to the students’ future in Temple’s workforce.”

Local industries are encouraged to participate in the event to help students identify not only potential careers in the community but learn more about the companies, their expectations of employees and the industries that they represent. This is a key way to demonstrate the relevance of education to the students.

Companies that committed their time and resources are Acer America, Baylor Scott & White Health, Baylor Scott & White Sports Care, iZone Imaging, McLane Intelligent Solutions, Primoris Heavy Civil, Panel Specialist Incorporated, and Wilsonart International.

The career and technology programs at TISD are strategically designed to train students for life-long success in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand occupations and career fields. Many TISD Career Technical Education programs allow students to earn college credit in escrow through Articulated Credit, as well as direct college credit through Dual Credit agreements with area colleges.

About Temple

Temple, Texas, is a community with a diverse economic base that includes healthcare, distribution and warehousing, and manufacturing as its foundation.  Within 200 miles of a population of 19 million, Temple is strategically located 39 minutes north of the Austin Metro Area on I-35, making it central within the Southwest U.S. marketplace.  For more information, visit www.choosetemple.com.