HANCEVILLE — More than 1,600 North Alabama 8th-graders attended the annual Tools of the Trade Event, hosted by Wallace State Community College, Thursday, Nov. 14.

Tools of the Trade has become one of the largest, joint efforts among the area’s workforce development professional community. It is organized each year by the Cullman Economic Development Agency, the Cullman County Economic Development Office, the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, WSCC and participating agencies from Blount and Winston Counties.

CEDA retail and workforce development manager Susan Eller described the event as an interactive way for students to explore a wide variety of potential career opportunities.

“Many times, the only thing children know is what they see in their immediate families. By visiting this career fair, it opens up so many new worlds to them that they hadn’t thought about or haven’t experienced,” Eller said.

Christina Holmes, with WSCC Office of Career and Workforce Development, said the event is mutually beneficial to employers who may have struggled with recruiting workers in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape.

“Employers reach out to our department almost every day looking for employees and looking for ways to partner with the college or bring awareness to what their company does,” Holmes said. “I think a lot of our employers in the area recognize that the pipeline has changed a little bit over the past couple of years. Participating in events like this is another pipeline for them.”

Eller said she hoped this afforded students future opportunities in their own backyard rather than commuting to more metropolitan areas outside of Cullman.

“Potentially, by opening these kids’ eyes to things that are available here in their community they will be able to spend more TIME at home with their familIes and they can help our existing industries also. It’s a win-win for everybody,”

Holmes recognized that 8th-grade might seem a bit early to begin sending out resumes, but said that the direct communication between employers and potential future employees created a foundation which could prove to be invaluable in the years to come.

“The more these students see what’s out there and they see these company names and what they do, it becomes more familiar to them. Sometimes attending an event like this what sets them on a trajectory for a future career path,” Holmes said.

Karen Pinion, Learning Support Specialist with Cullman County Schools, agreed and said it was important to present students with options early as they begin to prepare for the transition to high school.

“We know 8th-graders aren’t going to solidify a career choice at that age, but we also want to make sure they have plenty of opportunities so that they pick a career instead of falling into a career,” Pinion said.

Patrick Camp can be reached pcamp@cullmantimes.com or at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.