In a first of its kind event in Palm Beach County, high school students learned about career paths and job opportunities from more than 40 Palm Beach County employers at last week’s Business Development Board “Claim Your Future” career event at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County in cooperation with the School District of Palm Beach County created the career event joining prospective employers and students. The Business Development Board invited students from every high school in Palm Beach County, and local companies, so that students could learn about career paths and experience first-hand with businesses the possibilities that are open to them as the county continues to attract more employers.

According to Kelly Smallridge, CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, “This unprecedented partnership among the Palm Beach County School District, Palm Beach County companies and the Business Development Board demonstrates that Palm Beach County is a community that means business and invests in the future of our workforce. During the past year alone, more than 25 companies have relocated to and expanded in Palm Beach County, creating 3,604 jobs. As more companies are attracted to the advantages of doing business here, Palm Beach County will be ready with a skilled and informed pool of qualified workers.”

Students learned about career opportunities and career paths and had one on one interaction with employers and workers in the growing sectors of life sciences, aerospace, aviation, engineering and financial services.

“The Claim Your Future Showcase promoted local industries to our very best and brightest in Palm Beach County,” says Dr. Peter Licata of the Department of Choice and Career Options for the School District of Palm Beach County. “We want our students to know that they are valued members of their own communities, and their futures can be here with our own national and local employers. We want our talent to remain to continue the work that the BDB and local employers have built to last.”