First World of Manufacturing SkillsUSA World of Possibilities Career Expo in FL: Enroll by April 1

TAMPA, Fla. - March 18, 2014 - PRLog -- FLATE, the National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence in Manufacturing in Tampa, invites manufacturers across Florida to join the “World of Manufacturing” at the SkillsUSA World of Possibilities, the largest career and technical education exposition in Florida. The exposition, the first of its kind, will be held April 28—29 at Pensacola State College.  FLATE has taken the role as “World Leader” at the World of Possibilities expo which runs in conjunction with the annual, state level, SkillsUSAcompetitions.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry to ensure America has a skilled workforce.  SkillsUSA helps students excel and serves students who are preparing for careers in trades, technical and skilled service occupations. The World of Possibilities expo brings together leaders in key area industries and gives students an opportunity for hands-on career exploration. The purpose of the exposition is to showcase business and vendors in technical career fields by engaging students of all ages with hands-on and interactive experiences, and is the first step towards planning/preparation for high-tech, high-skilled, high-paying careers in Florida.

The statewide competitions provide nearly 2,500 high school and post-secondary students across Florida the opportunity to compete at the national, and possibly, the world competitions. These student competitors will have the opportunity to visit all the “Worlds” at the expo. Each “World” is 100% funded by sponsoring companies and organizations that join a particular “world” to showcase their products, recruit potential workers, and share information about careers in their industry sector. Participants in each world are asked to provide a quick and easy hands-on activity, and bring materials to hand out, display and demonstrate.

The “World of Manufacturing” expo will introduce students to many high-tech career “possibilities” and pathways in Florida as well as innumerable high-tech companies that make thousands of cool products in our state.  Student attendees will also help the FLATE team “make” something and learn about manufacturing processes. FLATE provides this kind of valuable information and student-focused resources through its “Made in Florida (http://www.madeinflorida.org/)” outreach website.  We are recruiting organizations and companies to join us in Pensacola, and showcase your products, careers and enthusiasm for manufacturing with Florida’s future, high-tech manufacturing workforce.

Any manufacturing organization, or company interested in participating in the “World of Manufacturing” expo should contact Desh Bagley, outreach manager for FLATE (http://www.fl-ate.org/) at bagley@fl-ate.org, and Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE (http://www.fl-ate.org/) at barger@fl-ate.org by April 1, 2014 or sooner. For more information visit http://www.worldsofpossibilities.com.