BATAVIA – More than 1,000 students from 30 school districts from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming (GLOW) counties experienced the region’s largest hands-on career exploration event on Tuesday.
GLOW With Your Hands welcomed record participation from students and businesses for a day filled with experiences in rewarding, growing careers in the skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, and agriculture sectors.
65 businesses participated as exhibitors at this year’s GLOW With Your Hands. The event’s goal is to prepare GLOW Region youth for successful careers by introducing them directly to professionals, and active career activities tied to in-demand jobs.
“While the record participation of our students and businesses is welcome, the true success of GLOW With Your Hands is the having a youth arrive at our event and discover a passion for a career that they may have never considered before,” said Jay Lazarony, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “Our exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and organizers are dedicated to supporting students today, and throughout their path to success.”
Students rotated through experiences that includes operating backhoes and excavators, competing in nail driving and construction competitions, and testing their skills on dairy farming and welding simulators.
“It’s incredible to see so many students that are excited about careers right in their own backyard,” said Chris Suozzi, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “Our companies are growing, and today demonstrates that the national workforce challenge can be solved locally. More than 1,000 students all progressed in their readiness for careers, and are now thinking about the classes, clubs, and training they can take to continue to grow their skills.”
Students were joined by New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, who encouraged students to pursue the careers they experienced and thanked businesses for providing an engaging and positive experience.
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