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Hundreds of local students participate in construction career fair

Students get hands-on experience in construction, engineering, and transportation industries

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Vrsatchie Joseph is a junior at Jones High School and told News 6 she was curious to find out what the construction industry has to offer.

“I like what I’m seeing so far. I want to pursue education in other things, but I feel like I’m starting here,” Joseph said.

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At least 60 high schools participated in a DeLand construction career fair hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation on Thursday.

Lauren Pearson with the Florida Department of Transportation explained there is a big need for workers especially in the Central Florida area.

“The shortage and the need is so great -especially because the governor’s moving Florida initiative is starting and moving into plan production so not only do we have a need but that need is constantly and consistently growing,” Pearson said.

Students got to attend learning labs which included information on engineering and immersive VR technology.

“They are looking for students who are graduating high school that maybe college isn’t the best or most appropriate fit for them, maybe they don’t feel that college is the path for them, and we want to let them know that there are so many opportunities that don’t require college,” Pearson said.

Students even got the opportunity to test drive and operate construction equipment.

The career fair will happen once again on Friday.

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About the Author

Ezzy Castro is a multimedia journalist on News 6's morning team who has a passion for telling the stories of the people in the Central Florida community. Ezzy worked at WFOR CBS4 in South Florida and KBMT in Beaumont, Texas, where she covered Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Being from Miami, Ezzy loves Cuban coffee and croquetas!

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