From welding to healthcare, Hillsborough students connect with top employers at the final WDP Future Fair.
With their final days of high school rapidly approaching, Javiel Rivera and his fellow seniors are no longer just counting down to graduation; they are counting on what comes next. Standing in a crowded convention hall at the Trinkle Center, Rivera clutched a bag filled with brochures that felt less like paper and more like a roadmap of possibilities. A senior at Plant City High School, Rivera spent his year in the Workforce Development Partners (WDP) Future Career Academy program exploring the unknown, and, as the final bell nears, the vision is becoming clear.
“I’ve learned there are so many different companies and things to do in life,” Rivera said, his eyes scanning the booths at the WDP Future Fair. “I’m looking at welding now. I talked to the people at Central Maintenance and Welding. I just need to learn the trade, and once I do, my future is bright.”
Rivera was one of hundreds of students from across Hillsborough County who gathered for the final Future Fair of the season, an event that has grown from a local pilot program 11 years ago into a county-wide workforce engine located in 40 high schools. For WDP founder Yvonne Fry, the location of the finale held special significance. “Ending our series of hiring events here in Plant City is incredibly meaningful to us,” Fry said. “This is where our work began, rooted in a community that truly believes in its young people and in creating pathways to success for families. To come full circle and finish here is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community shows up year after year to support its students. We are deeply grateful to everyone who continues to stand with us in building brighter futures.”
The atmosphere was a mix of high-stakes networking and high-energy encouragement. Local leaders, including City of Plant City Mayor Nate Kilton and City Manager Bill McDaniel, emphasized that the event wasn’t just a field trip but a bridge to the local economy.
“My charge for you today is be bold,” Kilton told the assembled seniors. “I had a mentor who said, ‘Don’t let your fears get in the way of your dreams.’ I would rather try and fail than not try at all. There is always a ‘no’ if you don’t ask.”
Sarah LeMaster, Senior District Director, noted the goal is for every student to walk across the graduation stage with confidence and a concrete plan in hand. “It’s important to know what you’re doing next for yourself after high school, whether that’s enrollment, employment, enlistment, or entrepreneurship,” she said.
For major regional employers like BayCare, the fair is a critical talent pipeline. Krista Reifschneider, talent acquisition recruiter for the healthcare giant, noted that previous fairs have led directly to hires once diplomas are signed. “We need young people to come into the organization as the older people start retiring,” Reifschneider said. “We are looking for young people with a great attitude and a willingness to learn.”
The message resonated with students like Plant City High senior Nevaeh Peeples, who aims to become a Registered Nurse. “I want to get my foot in the door,” she said. “I like the fact that everyone here helps each other out.”
Her classmate, Jonathan Cantellanos, found himself reconsidering his options after speaking with recruiters. “Patient transportation seems fun, and I’m a big guy, so that wouldn’t be a problem for me,” he said, though he’s also weighing the possibility of starting his own business. “I’m looking forward to my future.”
State and local officials urged the students to view themselves as the “talent” meeting the “opportunity.” Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell offered a grounded perspective, telling students they didn’t need a 40-year plan, just a good decision for the next twelve months.
“If there are times you feel stuck, I don’t want you to spin your wheels alone,” Driskell said. “Reach out and ask for help.”
As the keynote address by Shaun Bryant of Pipe Pros Inc. concluded, the room remained a buzz of activity. City Manager Bill McDaniel, a Plant City High alumnus with 40 years of service to Plant City, watched the interaction with a sense of envy for the tools now available to the next generation. “You don’t just get a job with us; you build a career,” McDaniel said. “I wish we had this program back then,” he said as he pitched the idea of a career in city government. “You don’t just get a job with us; you build a career.”
