Southwest Tennessee Community College’s open house, job fair on April 18 offers public pathways for career success

For more information, contact Diana Fedinec, Southwest Tennessee Community College Director of Public Relations and Media, at 901-333-4247 or dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu.

Southwest Tennessee Community College will host its second annual Southwest Workforce Solutions Center Open House and Career Fair on April 18, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the College’s Macon Cove Campus at 5983 Macon Cove Road in Memphis.

It is a unique opportunity for students, the business community and public to explore more than 140 academic, career, and technical programs specifically designed to meet the Mid-South’s growing demand for skilled professionals.

“The open house showcases what Southwest has to offer the Mid-South community,” said Amy Shead, associate vice president of workforce development. “With an annual enrollment of 12,000 students, Southwest is one of the Mid-South’s largest suppliers of technically skilled workers and a key economic and workforce driver for the local and regional community as 96 percent of our graduates remain in the Memphis area.”

This year’s focus, “Igniting the Workforce: Building Pipelines and Pathways for Career Success,” emphasizes the importance of fostering strong connections between students, employers, and the skills necessary for success in various industries. These pipelines not only bridge the gap between education and employment but also highlight the college's integral role in the community. During the event's expo, attendees will witness firsthand how Southwest offers students seamless career pathways, bridging non-credit and credit courses with responsive, in-demand career-technical education.

The event coincides with NC3 National CTE (Career and Technical Education) Letter of Intent Signing Day, which is when high school students interested in pursuing a technical career formally commit to Southwest. Students and attendees will also have the opportunity to visit potential employers at the career fair, explore technologies and health care fields through immersive and interactive activities inside the Southwest Express Career Exploration Labs, tour the college’s state-of-the art technologies building and listen to an open forum on workforce development with industry leaders.

Guest speaker William H. Gary, Sr. of William H. Gary Consulting, LLC will facilitate the industry forum, open to all, and a roundtable luncheon for sponsors. Gary retired from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) in 2023 after leading its workforce division after serving 14 years as vice president of workforce development for Northern Virginia Community College, the nation’s second-largest community college. He has more than 30 years of experience in private and public sector management. His private sector experience includes operations management, human resources management, business development, government relations, and legislative affairs in industry sectors such as steel manufacturing, health care, information systems, telecommunications, and aviation.

“William Gary offers unparalleled expertise when it comes to workforce and economic development issues,” Shead said. “It is truly an honor to have him share his experiences and lead the discussions on workforce development.”

The open house is free to attend. Check in for the day’s activities begins at 9 a.m. while the career fair is 11 a.m.  – 2 p.m. Proceeds from donations and sponsorships for the event will go to The Southwest Foundation for student scholarships. To become a sponsor and register for the event, go to www.southwest.tn.edu. For more information, contact Braylin Laster, associate vice president of institutional advancement and resource development, at bwlaster@southwest.tn.edu.

William H. Gary, Sr.