"We wanted to introduce people from industry to what's being supported and taught in our local high schools," explained Brian Robin, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Manager for the Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD).

Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) teamed up with SOESD to show employers the potential that students enrolled in CTE programs have to offer.

"Professionals in different fields see that here at North Medford that we are doing a lot of what they're doing in the workforce and that we're applying it super early in the developmental years of students," described North Medford High School Junior Tanner James. "Getting into the professions and we're learning how to do things and develop skills necessary for really important blue-collar jobs."

The industry leaders, sharing with students what the future could hold for them.

"People from manufacturing that were part of the tour today are sharing with students about what employment opportunities are available in our own region and introducing those students to those opportunities," said Robin.

The students, eager to show their skills.

"I was always just attached to building things and designing and then as my years went on, I realized this is what I want to do as a profession, this is this is who I am and this is what I want to do," expressed James.

That eagerness from students, impressing the group from SOREDI.

"I think that about half of the students here at North Medford would probably be hired right on the spot from how impressed we've all been by their knowledge and skills," lauded Robin.