Feedback from exhibitors and attendees!
“I had no idea what sparked my interest, but being here made me realize that there are a lot more options than what it seems out there.
- Mary Burnett, 12th grade student
"This was my first experience working at the SOTCE and was impressed by the different activities and opportunities that are available to High School students, College Students, Unemployed Adults, Veterans, Service Members, and Adults just looking for a better career. If you fit into any of these categories, then this is the event you have to be at, and the Seven Feather Casino is an amazing host and perfect location for this event."
- David Martinmaas, Work For Warriors
"This is a great opportunity for students interested in pursuing a trade with little to no college after high school. A couple of years ago, I took 25 MHS and Harding Kids to this Expo. They said they really had a good time and learned a lot. They didn't realize there were so many career jobs that required little to no college. If you get a chance to attend, please do so. It is worth it!"
- Stacy Gulseth, Coos Bay
"Thank you for having us, we're grateful for the opportunity to share all of the careers that we have at Kelly's Automotive Service in Grants Pass and Medford. It was really nice to see so many youth interested in trades careers, engage with us, and ask questions. Thanks again, we'll see you in 2023!"
- Kelly's Automotive Service
"We had lots of great conversations with students at the Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo last week at Seven Feathers Casino Resort. We were also able to chat with shop teachers and counselors, and we're excited about setting up future opportunities for some shop/office tours and visits for the schools! Always great to help our community and youth to learn, grow, and have opportunities for their future!"
- Convey
"A&M Transport is happy to be a part of the Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville!"
- A&M Transport
"Great job on another great event! I know we didn't have the numbers come through as we did in 2019 due to the pandemic, but there were a lot more kids specifically interested in the utility industry and potential careers, which was fantastic!"
- Sam Carter, Pacific Power
"Project Youth+ students from all over the valley got the opportunity to attend this year's Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo. Students got to talk to real employers and recruiters and even try hands-on trade work! We love being able to introduce students to all sorts of post-secondary education, training, and career options. Thank you, Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo, for putting together this awesome event!"
- Project Youth+
“Allowing the youth to climb on the equipment, experience it, touch it, run it, and do the boom lifts and run the excavators — this is an opportunity they wouldn’t get anywhere else. This allows them to experience opportunities they may not have considered because they may not know anyone in these trades.”
- John Jenkins, Phoenix Charter School
"I enjoyed reaching out to potential young workers, who might need a week to train to become roller operators who make $39.90 an hour, the state minimum starting wage for roadwork, without a college degree. My wife has a master’s degree from Boston University, and she makes $22 an hour."
- John Hickey, Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon
"The Expo is an invaluable showcase of careers available to Oregon's youth. Students will experience first-hand how they can apply their math, science and engineering studies to real life careers with fun, interactive learning."
- Kelly Warner, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians
