How does a rural area like Habersham keep younger generations within the community after they graduate high school?
For an 11th year, Partnership Habersham – a private-public entity that seeks to attract prospective business to the county – held a career fair at the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy on Thursday, March 6, that aims to do just that.
“It’s important because it exposes the young students here in our community to what job opportunities there are,” Executive Director of Partnership Habersham Charlie Fiveash said. “We’re trying to get them to stay in the community and find a job that would be pertinent to what they want to do…this way, they get exposure early on what the job opportunities are out there.”
By the end of the day, more than 500 students would circulate through two campus gymnasiums filled with 35 local businesses and possibly discover those future opportunities.
From larger employers like Fieldale Farms to nonprofit organizations like Circle of Hope, local businesses and employers had the opportunity to engage the youth and potentially offer opportunity that could otherwise be overlooked.
Over the years, Partnership Habersham’s efforts have reaped what could be considered an overall success, according to Fiveash, as members of younger demographics have elected to stay in Habersham in conjunction with job growth.
For the last five years, Fiveash said the number of jobs here in the county have risen (specifically in the retail sector), though he noted progress on that front has been incremental. Still, as noted by local leaders throughout the community, growth is on its way – particularly with the Northeast Georgia Inland Port expected to bring business to the area en masse.
“I think we’re seeing more and more students that want to stay,” Fiveash said. “Fieldale will hire students who are still in high school, and some of the bigger employers are doing the same thing … We’ve been hitting these smaller companies – singles and doubles, as I call them, but if we can position ourselves with a larger site, we can draw in a bigger company.”
David Leenman, the current Ninth Grade Academy principal named to replace incoming superintendent Patrick Franklin as assistant superintendent, spoke to the importance of the event – specifically as it relates to building engagement between students and local industry.
Leenman said he’s heard more students express a desire to stay here in the community after they graduate.
“I think it’s important that our students know what’s available to them right here in Habersham…they need to know what careers are available to them. It’s not that Fieldale is only (poultry processing), they also need accountants and lawyers and HR people. There are so many opportunities here in Habersham available after they graduate. We want them to grow up to be good, productive citizens here in Habersham.”
Franklin echoed Leenman’s remarks, describing the event as pivotal for students.
“Ninth grade is such a pivotal year,” Franklin said. “Kids are thinking about their futures…I talked to a local manufacturer today that’s going to add quite a few jobs. Those jobs can be for our kids and our students. If they choose to stay here in Habersham, we want them to know what’s going on and what’s available to them.”
Fiveash said Partnership Habersham and its leaders are eager to continue efforts to bolster economic development here in the community.
“It’s been a very successful event, and something we intend to keep doing for years going forward,” he said.
