Workforce Development Partners, Plant City, FL (2026)

10/15/2026

FCA Business Panel Event Day 6 🎤

WHAT’S NEXT STARTS HERE!

When education and industry come together, opportunities are endless! ✨

Workforce Development Partners (WDP) concluded WEEK 2 of Future Career Academy Business Panel events, continuing our mission to prepare and connect students with the great jobs and training opportunities in their communities.

5 MORE Business Panel event days are still ahead this October! Stay tuned! 🚀

1,093 students left campus today with new connections, new possibilities, and a clearer vision for what’s next.

📍 3 High Schools:

• Brandon High School
• Riverview HS
• Armwood High School PTSA

🤝 13 Industry representatives across 10 industries:

• BayCare Careers
• Construction Services Inc of Tampa
• Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
• MacDill Air Force Base
• Mattamy Homes USA
• Publix Careers
• Regions Bank
• Tampa Electric
• HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education

Each conversation represents an opportunity for students to explore career pathways, build their understanding of workforce expectations, and begin identifying their own next steps.

To our employer partners who shared their experiences, our educators and school leaders who champion career-connected learning, and everyone who contributed to making today’s events possible: THANK YOU!

These partnerships remind us that preparing the next generation of talent is a shared responsibility and a shared opportunity.

🤝 Want to help students discover what's possible in your industry? Contact us below!

https://workforcedevelopmentpartners.com/contact/

10/14/2026

FCA Business Panel Event Day 5 🎤

Explore. Prepare. Connect. Launch.

Today, 1,336 seniors explored what their futures could look like through our Future Career Academy Business Panels, hearing directly from 19 industry professionals across 10 in-demand employer partners.

Students asked questions, heard real career stories, and connected with professionals who are leading the work every day.

These conversations help students move beyond “What do I want to do?” and start thinking about “What could I do next?”

This is career exploration in action!

📍 3 East Hillsborough Schools:

• Newsome High School
• Bloomingdale Senior High School
• Spoto High School

A special thank you to our employer partners! Your time, ability, and willingness to share your career journeys helps make career exploration meaningful and actionable for students.

• AdventHealth Tampa
• Coca-Cola Beverages Florida
• Hillsborough County, Florida Government
• Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
• Power Design
• Publix Careers
• Regions Bank
• Spectrum
• HCPS Apprenticeships
• U.S. Army

A huge shout-out to our school leadership teams for the support, coordination, and behind-the-scenes logistics that make each Business Panel possible! We’re incredibly grateful for your partnership and collaboration in bringing meaningful career-connected opportunities directly to students on campus.

A special thank you to Newsome High School for the thoughtful breakfast and coffee table, your incredible hospitality, and for helping us welcome a record number of students! ☕️👏

And a huge thank you to Chef Jordan and the Bloomingdale culinary team for hosting our luncheon and delivering an exceptional menu. Your team consistently goes above and beyond, and we’re grateful for your continued support of our students and the Future Career Academy. 👏🍽️

10/13/2026

FCA Business Panel Event Day 4 🎤

CONNECTIONS THAT MATTER.

Every career journey begins with discovering what's possible!

Today, Workforce Development Partners (WDP), through our Future Career Academy (FCA), connected 322 students with industry professionals as we delivered our fourth day of Business Panel events this month, continuing to bridge classroom learning with real-world career opportunities across Hillsborough County Public Schools!

📍 3 East Tampa High Schools:

• Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School

• West University Charter High School

• Pepin Academies – Tampa

🤝 12 Industry representatives across 9 industries:

• BayCare Careers

• City of Tampa

• ESmart Recycling

• Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

• Chase

• Publix Careers

• Tampa Electric

• HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education

• Military Recruiting Office Tampa Battalion - U.S. Army

From discovering new industries to learning about Employment, Enlistment, Enrollment, and Entrepreneurship pathways, students had the opportunity to hear firsthand how professionals turned their interests and experiences into careers. These conversations provided students with the information they need to know to develop what comes next after high school.

A special thank you to our employer partners for sharing their journeys, our educators and school leaders for making these experiences possible, and our students for approaching each conversation with curiosity!

Every new career connection can help students take another step toward their future.

10/12/2026

🎤 Three Business Panels event days delivered, and we're just getting started!

Last week, we kicked off 3 of the 11 event days of our Future Career Academy Business Panels, connecting Hillsborough County Public Schools graduating seniors with local industry professionals to explore careers, gain real-world insights, and discover opportunities beyond high school!

🚀 The momentum continues this week at nine more high schools across 3 event days!

📅 This Week's Schedule:

Tuesday, October 13

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School
West University Charter High School
Pepin Academies – Tampa

Wednesday, October 14

Newsome High School
Bloomingdale Senior High School
Spoto High School

Thursday, October 15

Brandon High School
Riverview HS
Armwood High School PTSA

👏 Thank you to our business partners, educators, and school leaders for making these experiences possible!

🤝 Want to help shape the future workforce? Business Panels are just one of the many ways employers can engage with students through Future Career Academy's year-round programming!

From business tours to career exploration and hiring events, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with emerging talent.

📩 Interested in partnering with us? Let's connect!

https://workforcedevelopmentpartners.com/contact/

10/09/2026

🏗️ BUILDING THE FUTURE. CONNECTING STUDENTS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP.

October is Manufacturing & Construction Month, and Workforce Development Partners (WDP) is proud to partner with the Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA) to help Hillsborough County graduating seniors explore careers in manufacturing and beyond!

Through our Future Career Academy (FCA), students connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities. During our January–February 2027 Business Tours, students will visit diverse local businesses and organizations to discover career pathways, meet industry professionals, and explore opportunities available after high school.

🤝 BAMA is helping strengthen these senior activation experiences by connecting WDP with local manufacturers willing to open their doors and introduce students to their industry. From skilled trades and production to engineering, technology, and operations, these visits help students see the many possibilities within manufacturing.

Thank you, BAMA, for helping connect local industry with the next generation of talent!

Are you a local manufacturer interested in inspiring future talent? Explore how you can get involved in our upcoming FCA Business Tours!

🔗 Learn more: https://bama-fl.org/ #/upcoming_events?eventId=wa-event-6796237&pastEvent=false

10/08/2026

FCA Business Panel Event Day 3 🎤

Across East Tampa, the conversation was all about what’s possible next.

528 seniors. 3 high schools. 14 industry professionals representing 10 industries.

• Tampa Bay Technical High School

• Middleton High School

• C. Leon King High School

Through FCA Business Panels, students explored the four pathways that can shape life after high school: Employment, Enrollment, Enlistment, and Entrepreneurship.

The conversations went beyond job titles. Students asked questions, explored possibilities, and made connections to the world of work — building toward a clear, actionable plan for their future.

And this is just one part of the FCA year of activation, where students have ongoing opportunities to explore, prepare, connect, and launch.

For employers, these conversations are an opportunity to introduce students to industries and career pathways they may not have considered — while giving students a clearer understanding of the skills, opportunities, and expectations shaping today’s workforce.

We’re grateful to the industry professionals and community partners who showed up for students, shared their career journeys, and helped bring the world of work into the classroom:

• AdventHealth

• Envision

• JPMorganChase

• Method One

• Publix Careers Publix

• Tampa Electric

• Temple Terrace Police Department

• Tri-City Electrical Contractors, Inc.

• Military Recruiting Office Tampa Battalion - U.S. Army

• HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education

We’re equally grateful to the school leadership teams who make these experiences possible by creating space for students to engage with professionals, ask questions, and explore what comes next.

Thank you to the incredible student leadership represented across all three campuses — from Tampa Bay Technical’s medical students, whose professionalism and engagement helped set the tone for the day, to Middleton’s ROTC escorts, who welcomed guests and helped keep the experience running smoothly, to King’s Culinary and ROTC students, whose hospitality, professionalism, and attention to detail made our time on campus especially memorable.

These students were more than participants — they helped bring the experience to life. We’re proud to see them putting their skills into action and representing their schools so well. 👏

What’s one skill you hope every student develops before entering the workforce?

10/07/2026

FCA Business Panel | Day 2 🎤

533 seniors. 2 Hillsborough County Public Schools.

17 industry representatives across 9 industries.

Today, South Tampa seniors at Jefferson High School and Robinson High School connected with professionals through Business Panels and explored local career opportunities, education and training pathways, and the skills employers are looking for across the 4 pathways: Employment, Enlistment, Enrollment, and Entrepreneurship.

A moment that stood out: A student asked, “You mean I can enlist in the military and serve in a job that isn’t on the front lines?”

One question opened the door to a much bigger conversation about the many career opportunities available across our military branches—including pathways that provide valuable training, certifications, and benefits.

Sometimes, one question can change how a student sees what’s possible.

That’s the power of the Future Career Academy’s year-long senior activation experience.

ASL Career Connection at Robinson: Members of the ASL Leadership group took turns interpreting and signing throughout the panel as part of their continued practice and learning. Multiple employers also shared that their organizations recognize ASL as part of its bilingual pay incentives, creating a great connection between what students are learning and how those skills can translate into the workplace.

Business Panels are one touchpoint within a broader FCA system designed to help students explore, prepare, connect, and launch as they move toward life after high school.

Thank you to today’s employer partners for showing up, sharing your experiences, and helping students see what their future could look like:

The Bank of Tampa
Florida Blue
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Ice Cold Air Complete Auto Repair
Publix
Tampa General Hospital
Tampa Electric
Military Recruiting Office Tampa Battalion - U.S. Army
HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education

And thank you to our school leadership teams for the collaboration and continued commitment to creating meaningful senior activation experiences.

Special thank you to the Jefferson High School Culinary Team for welcoming our team and preparing such a thoughtful luncheon. Students demonstrated incredible creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail from start to finish!

We’re also grateful to our VIP guests and community partners who joined us to learn more about FCA and see our senior activation work in action. Your time, perspective, and partnership help strengthen the network of support surrounding our students.

Interested in helping students develop a plan for their future?

Connect with our team to learn how you can support the Future Career Academy.

https://workforcedevelopmentpartners.com/contact/

10/06/2026

FCA Business Panel | Day 1 🎤

1,344 seniors. 4 Hillsborough County Public Schools

19 industry representatives across 12 industries.

Business Panels are one part of the Future Career Academy’s year-long senior activation experience, connecting students to employers and real-world career insight as they explore what comes next.

Today, seniors at:

• Steinbrenner High School
• Alonso High School Ravens
• Sickles High School
• A. P. Leto High School

engaged with professionals through Business Panels and meet-and-greets, creating opportunities to ask questions, make connections, and explore the 4 pathways: Employment, Enlistment, Enrollment, and Entrepreneurship.

A moment that stood out: A student and current Publix employee came into the Business Panel unsure of what he wanted to pursue after graduation. Through the conversation, he discovered how Publix’s tuition reimbursement and career advancement opportunities could help him continue his education, explore career pathways, and grow within the company.

Sometimes, the right conversation opens up possibilities students didn’t know were there.

And that’s the power of the FCA year of activation. Business Panels are not a stand-alone experience. They are one touchpoint within a broader system designed to help students explore, prepare, connect, and launch as they move toward life after high school.

Thank you to today’s employer partners!

BayCare Health System
Giant Auto Group - Scott Fink Auto Group
Hillsborough County, Florida Government
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
JPMorganChase
Publix Super Markets
Seal Dynamics - A HEICO Company
Synergy Technology Solutions, LLC
Tampa Electric
Military Recruiting Office Tampa Battalion - U.S. Army
HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education

Thank you for sharing your time, experience, and perspective with our students.

And thank you to our school leadership teams for creating space for these senior activation experiences and continuing to partner with us throughout the year to connect students to what comes next.

Special shoutout to the Sickles Culinary Department for an incredible luncheon for our team! The menu, presentation, and hospitality were outstanding. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!

We’re also grateful to the VIP guests and community partners who joined us to learn more about FCA and support our students. Your presence and partnership help make this work possible.

Want to be part of a student’s journey?

Connect with our team to learn how you can support the Future Career Academy.

https://workforcedevelopmentpartners.com/contact/

10/02/2026

A new skilled workforce is taking shape. 🔥

Congratulations to the first welding graduates from HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education Rick Lott Technical College!

Their achievement represents more than completing a program — it’s a step toward careers that require hands-on skills, technical expertise, and industry-ready preparation.

We’re proud to celebrate these students as they move from training to opportunity!

This is what career and technical education can make possible: learning a skill, earning a credential, and building a future.
Congratulations, graduates!👏

10/02/2026

This is what success looks like when students have a plan. 🎓

At South County Career Acceleration Academy (SCCAA), the commitment to student success is visible — including this powerful display celebrating the 53 SCCAA recent 25-26 SY graduates who were recognized at last year’s Future Career Academy Signing Day, with their commitments declared before graduation.

53 Students. 53 Career Pathways. 53 Commitments.
Each representing a different plan after high school.

This is the kind of intentional partnership that helps build momentum around a shared goal: every student graduates with a clear, actionable plan for what comes next.

Through continued collaboration between SCCAA and Future Career Academy, we’re proud to reinforce the importance of helping students explore their options, prepare for their next step, make meaningful connections, and take action toward their future.

Thank you to Principal Jennifer Woods, Workforce Program Advisor Shalini Rajpaul, and the entire SCCAA team for your continued partnership and for making student success visible, celebrated, and part of the culture of your school. ❤️

Workforce Development Partners

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