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Wlaf1450Career and Technical Education Fair held at Campbell High; more than 50 vendors present
By Charlotte Underwood
JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- The Career and Technical Education Career Fair was held Thursday at Campbell County High School. The U.S. Army paid a visit by way of a Black Hawk military helicopter just after 8am. WATCH the landing HERE.
Campbell County High School students had the opportunity to meet firsthand with over 50 career representatives at Thursday’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Fair which was held in the high school gym from 8 am till noon. More career opportunities in law enforcement and military also had booths set up outside on school grounds, including the popular Black Hawk Helicopter.
Students got to speak with representatives from all kinds of industries including banking, electrical, construction, Healthcare and everything in between! Secondary education opportunities were also represented with local community colleges like Roane State and South College, along with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Jacksboro, and TCAT Oneida as well.
According to County Mayor Jack Lynch, these career fairs are great for the students and the community alike.
“The career fair is a great asset to the county and a great asset to the kids and young people of Campbell County. They come in here and get a lot of education about a lot of things that they normally would not see, like the TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency) is here representing jobs throughout the state, LaFollette Utilities is here showing how the water system works, PCUD (Powell Clinch Utility District) is here showing about the natural gas industry. We have three colleges here, all showing the students the programs they have, we have three banks here offering jobs and talking about jobs available in the banking industry; this is a great asset for everyone,” Lynch said.
The high school has been hosting these career fairs in the spring each year for more than two decades.
Post Secondary Coordinator Monica Bane is no stranger when it comes to career fairs and has been participating in these for the last 10 to 12 years.
Cosmetology instructor Connie Crutchfield “headed them up” for years in the CTE wing of the high school.
“She helped this event to grow from just a few vendors in the hallways of the CTE wing and over time, it has grown, and we have had so much support we can’t fit in the CTE wing now and we pretty much have the gym full,” Bane said.
Freshman through seniors got to experience the career fair, with seniors going first in the day. The Freshman go last but “perhaps have the most enthusiasm as it is their first time experiencing a career fair.”
“These events help our students know what’s out there after high school. With the support of the community coming out and setting up these career booths, it engages the students firsthand, and the kids get to actually see what jobs and education opportunities are out there,” Bane said.
She said the community had been “phenomenal” in its support of the yearly CTE Fair and that it continues to grow each year.
“I want to give a shout out first of all to the staff here at Campbell County High School, there’s a lot of moving parts to make this a successful event and the staff has pitched in, we have had so many people show up, and pitch in to help and make it a successful event,” Bane said.
She extended thanks to all the vendors, “especially the chamber of commerce”, who helps her get the word out about the career fair each year.
“The last couple of years, they have sent it out to all their membership, which are people the school and staff may not know are in business here locally, and that is a huge help,” Bane said.
She also complimented CCHS students who were “engaged and excited” about the career fair. Teachers give students check-in sheets to take around to vendors at the career fair.
“They make it some type of assignment that they can discuss; they talk about the vendors that are going to be here ahead of time. When the students check in at a minimum of three tables, they can take that back to their teachers for some sort of credit, which gives an incentive to them and that gives the vendors a great opportunity to focus and have those good conversations,” said Monica Bane, Campbell County Postsecondary Coordinator.
All of this would not be possible without the “tremendous support” of the community.
“I just want to say thank you to the community for showing up. This event allows students to see that there are opportunities out there that they would not be aware of. It just builds that partnership; the community needs good people to work in their field and our goal is to prepare those students to be productive citizens and give back to the community,” Bane said.
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.
For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE.
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/28/2025-6AM)