FRANKLIN
On Tuesday, students from local high schools attended a college and career fair hosted by Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc. and Paul D. Camp Community College. The event was held at the PDCCC Regional Workforce Development Center and saw roughly 400 students through the course of the day.

Students arrived on buses from Franklin High School, Southampton High School, Southampton Academy and Rock Church. There were three different shifts so that students would be able to have the attention of the different businesses and schools. Students also listened to two different seminars: one on Money Matters and another on Interview Tips.

When students arrived at the event, they were given a bingo sheet with all the vendors. If students went to each vendor and heard what they had the say and got the representative to sign the sheet, their name would be entered into a prize. This gave several of the students the incentive to talk to business or school that they might not normally have considered.

The vendors at the fair were as followed:

• Tidewater Physical Therapy

• United States Air Force

• Johnson & Wales University

• United States Marine Corps

• VDOT

• Virginia 529

• Smithfield Hog Production

• Downtown Franklin Association

• International Paper

• James L. Camp, Jr. YMCA

• Care Advantage

• PDCCC Nursing & Allied Health

• Bronco Federal Credit Union

• PDCCC Robotics

• PDCCC HVAC

• Opportunity Inc. Youth

Career Center

• Centura College

• Deerfield Correctional Complex

• PDCCC Welding

• Highground Services

• Southampton Memorial Hospital

• Bobby’s Tire & Auto Care

• Southampton County Sheriff’s Office

• Franklin Lumber

• The Village at Woods Edge

• PDCCC Criminal Justice

• Chowan University

• United States Army

• PDCCC Dual Enrollment

• Control Automation Technologies Corporation

This was the first time that a career and college fair in the area had been done like this. Normally, the schools have their own. However, this gave the opportunity for more businesses to be able to talk to the students.

“We’re excited about the different schools encouraging students to find opportunities locally and in the region,” FSEDI President and CEO Amanda Jarratt said. “We are hopeful that today’s experience will strengthen the future of the local workforce.”

Executive Director of Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce Teresa Beale added, “This is a good experience for the business community to come together in one place and assist area students in finding a career path and the training and education they need pursue that career.”