Junior Achievement of Rhode Island (JA) will welcome 4,527 8th grade students to the Rhode Island Convention Center on December 5 and 6 as part of the JA Inspire Career Exploration Fair.

Students will have the opportunity to explore a host of various career opportunities in an environment that understands the value of hands-on experience. Supported by the Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board as part of PrepareRI, JA Inspire is a statewide initiative to prepare all students for a successful future through both college and their career. Other program sponsors include the Warren Alpert Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Rhode Island Foundation, KPMG, Cox Business, WJAR Channel 10, and Fidelity Investments.

“I believe that our business community in Rhode Island who are struggling to find their next generation of workers, should have no fear. Your future employees are right here – at JA Inspire,” said Lee Lewis, president of JA Rhode Island.

Students have been participating in in-class curriculums throughout the year, researching jobs and taking assessment tests to see where those skills might fit best. All this is done prior to the career exploration fair, allowing students to head into the Career Fair prepared. Once there, they have the opportunity to speak directly with mentors already working in their respective industries, learning helpful career advice to consider when moving forward.

Participating students from school districts throughout the state will be given the opportunity to meet and engage with over 100 local career and technical high school representatives, colleges/universities, state and federal agencies. Students from the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center will have a display at the event.

While no Warwick eight graders are participating, a JA spokesman said the intent is to double the program next year and include Warwick schools. Many of the state’s top employers including Bank of America, Citizens Bank, Collette, Cox Communications, Dimeo Construction, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Providence Police and Fire Departments, Rhode Island College and Rhode Island National Guard will also be exhibiting. All exhibitors will be providing hands-on, industry-related activities for any and all interested students. For a full list of exhibitors, visit www.jainspireri.org.