NORRISTOWN, PA – The Montgomery County Commerce Department and MontcoWorks have announced an upcoming multi-industry career fair for Montgomery County students in grades 8 through 12 on Tuesday October 25, 2022 (note updated date) at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. The Careers of Tomorrow Expo will feature over 100 exhibitors from multiple industries considered economic drivers in Montgomery County, providing students with viable career paths and family-sustaining wages.
The Careers of Tomorrow Expo will replicate the structure of previous ManuFest & More career fairs held by Montgomery County. In addition to promoting careers in manufacturing and building trades, exhibitors are invited to represent careers in healthcare, energy, social assistance, information technology, public service, education and other industries that have a critical need to develop a talent pipeline in Montgomery County.
“The goal of The Careers of Tomorrow Expo is primarily to refocus career awareness efforts around critical industries,” said Jennifer Butler, Executive Director of MontcoWorks. “However, the announcement, planning and implementation of this event will also be an energizing way for our employers, educators and students to look to a bright future here in Montco.”
The Careers of Tomorrow Expo will be held on October 25, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will accompany ongoing engagement through relevant Labor Market Information, presentations, industry tours and more.
Event organizers welcome supporters to help engage the students who attend. Those interested in lending additional support can provide resources for interactive activities, raffle prizes, and swag bag items. Any organization looking to provide something to make the day extra special & educational for students are encouraged to connect with Jennifer Butler at JButler@montcopa.org.
More information about the event, including how to register and get involved, can be found on the Careers of Tomorrow website.
Event History
In 2014, the first ManuFest event was held at Montgomery County Community College. The manufacturing-specific career fair was developed in direct response to an urgent request from local manufacturers for help in developing a talent pipeline to offset an aging labor force. What started as a small-scale event designed to engage students, parents and educators around manufacturing as a rewarding career pathway slowly grew each year to respond to the needs of employers in both manufacturing and the building trades, becoming ManuFest & More.
In 2019, over 1200 students attended the sixth annual ManuFest & More, held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. To respond to the needs of the healthcare and social assistance industry, a Healthcare Expo was also held at Montgomery County Community College. The concept of offering a hands-on way for Montgomery County students to experience a range of potential career paths, many of which do not require a significant post-secondary educational investment, had caught on.
In March 2020, ManuFest & More was cancelled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, workforce systems globally have shifted. The effect of mass layoffs followed by an unprecedented labor supply disconnection, as well as disruptions in education for many students are yet to be fully realized. However, current labor demand and long-term projections indicate the impact will be significant.
Exhibitor Testimonials
“I have had the pleasure of attending Manufest in the past. It is a wonderful collaboration between manufacturing and middle school children and their parents to demonstrate other potential careers. It showcases the opportunities and exciting challenges that can be found with a career in manufacturing and highlights the technological advancements that are being made daily. We need to grow this sector and it is crucial that we expose youth to the positive aspects of choosing a career in manufacturing.” Cheryl Starke, HR Assistant, Globus Medical/Branch Medical Group
“ManuFest was a great opportunity for Allan Myers to connect with the future of our workforce. We were able to speak to students from different schools, while providing insight and knowledge about what their future could look like with a career in the heavy civil construction industry.” Taylor Hazard, Recruiting Coordinator, Allan Myers
“The Healthcare Expo provides a wonderful opportunity for students to interact with professionals from the healthcare setting and learn what they have to say about their careers as well as learn what skills are utilized in those positions in the real work world. It provides firsthand communication from those on the front lines which helps students consider the various healthcare paths which may be available to them professionally.” Maureen Hennessey, Ed.D., MPA, Manager, Community Health and Outreach, Main Line Health
"This valuable event highlights many worthy careers students may never have considered without some exposure. As a result, their career options grow exponentially, and they see firsthand that they don't have to settle." Denise Collins, Supervisor of Workforce and Continuing Education, North Montco Technical Career Center
Media Contact: Kelly Cofrancisco, kcofrancisco@montcopa.org