Future Career Academy to host countywide job fair
Hillsborough County high school seniors, job-seeking adults and employers looking for staff can link up at the upcoming 2021 Future Career Fair, hosted by the Plant City-based Future Career Academy in conjunction with CareerSource Tampa Bay.
This year’s event, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 22, is completely virtual due to COVID-19. It’s got a multi-faceted schedule to accommodate all job seekers, though the primary focus will be on high school seniors from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All job seekers in the general public, regardless of age, will start their reserved time slot at 3:30 p.m. and go until 5:30 p.m.
“Very similar to a face-to-face job fair, where people walk up to each booth, gather brochures and ask questions, at this virtual event seekers will be able to search the online event site (by industry, location, minority and women-owned businesses), view videos and visit websites,” Future Career Academy said in a press release.
Future Career Academy was started at Plant City High School and has since expanded to include seniors at all Hillsborough County public high schools. The program teaches seniors who aren’t college-bound “how to prepare for and find meaningful work, training, certifications, internships and jobs with lifelong growth potential right out of high school,” per the press release. “Businesses gain prepared, competent young workers who remain in the county and contribute to building industries and the area’s economic wellbeing.”
The job fair is completely free and all job seekers can pre-register online at thefuturecareeracademy.com. Employers who are currently hiring and wish to participate can also sign up at the FCA website.
HCPS announces two new prepaid scholarships
Two students in the Hillsborough County Public Schools system will be selected for a pair of new scholarships provided by the Florida Prepaid College Program.
Though the combined total of the scholarships is $9,000, almost all of that money — $8,000 — is reserved for the Superintendent Addison Davis’ Future of STEM Scholarship. One high school senior who plans to study to become a teacher in a STEM subject will be awarded this two-year Florida College Plan.
“It is so exciting to provide this two-year scholarship for our future STEM teachers in Hillsborough County Public Schools,” Larry Plank, the district’s Director of K-12 STEM Education, said in a press release. “This valuable reward for one of our best and brightest students will in turn inspire future learners for years to come.”
The remaining $1,000 will go toward the Superintendent Addison Davis’ Preparing Students for Life Scholarship, which will be awarded to one student by way of a random drawing. This is a Florida 529 Savings Plan. Parents or guardians of incoming Kindergarten students will be able to sign up at a Kindergarten registration event or if they begin the registration process before April 30.
“Our district, along with Florida Prepaid College Program, is thrilled to have the opportunity to offer scholarships for one soon-to-be graduate, as well as a new learner ready to embark on his or her educational journey within Hillsborough County Public Schools,” Davis said in a press release. “These scholarships will champion our future leaders by assisting them financially in reaching their educational goals. This partnership truly recognizes the entire spectrum of work our educators perform here in this district.”
Visit https://bit.ly/HCPSscholarship for more information about the two scholarships.
Lifeguard courses available at YMCA
The Plant City Family YMCA and the rest of the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA network is getting ready to host a series of American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification courses.
Individuals age 15 and up can register and learn how to prevent drowning and save lives in the pool. Activities to compete include a 300-yard swim, two minutes of treading water with no hands, and a nine-foot dive to retrieve a 10-pound brick. The course “provides participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies and other injuries and illnesses,” per a press release. There are also CPR, AED, First Aid and other training courses available.
“The Tampa YMCA is excited to collaborate with the American Red Cross to add these vital courses to the list of programs we offer to ensure the safety of the community,” Tampa YMCA Aquatics Executive Amanda Walker said in a press release. “As a part of the Tampa YMCA’s drowning prevention programs, offering these lifesaving courses to the communities we serve is one more step in reaching our goal of helping Tampa Bay residents be as safe as possible in and around the water.”
The cost for the lifeguarding course is $165 for YMCA members and $225 for non-members. Spots are limited. Register at tampaymca.org/programs/swim-programs/lifeguard-certification.
Keel Farms hosting month-long U-pick
Anyone who wants fresh, delicious blueberries is in luck as blueberry season kicks off this month.
Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Road, is now offering a daily U-pick throughout this entire month. Attendees only have to pay for their blueberries by the pound — parking and admission are both free.
Visit keelfarms.com or call 813-752-9100 for more information about the U-pick and other events hosted on the grounds, which include live music, trivia nights, yoga classes and much more.