In the latest edition of 'The Valley Business Today,' host Janet Michael welcomed Shayla Rickard from the Frederick County Economic Development Authority (EDA). The conversation provided an in-depth look into two key programs— the Widget Cup and the Employer Expo— both aimed at workforce development in the Frederick County area.

The Widget Cup is an annual competition where teams from various high schools in the area, including Winchester, Clarke County, and Frederick County, showcase their skills. With no prior knowledge of the tasks, students engage in a rigorous three-and-a-half-hour competition to design, build, and present a project to a panel of judges. This year's challenge involved building an outdoor storage cart for the Fremont Street Nursery in Winchester. Shayla highlighted the incredible talent and creativity of the students, noting, 'It's amazing to watch them develop literally right in front of me.'

Clarke County continues to dominate the competition, winning the Widget Cup yet again this year. Janet remarked on the uniqueness of each team's project despite having similar guidelines, and Shayla praised the students' ingenuity. The event also serves as a real-world industry model, teaching students project management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

The discussion then shifted to the upcoming Employer Expo, scheduled for May 15th at the Shenandoah University James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic and Event Center. This annual event brings together around 70-80 employers from various industries, offering about 400 job opportunities to the local workforce. 'We're very helpful and we're very positive about filling up our employer's needs,' Shayla commented, stressing the event's importance in the current job market.

For job seekers, the Expo offers on-the-spot interviews, workshops on resume building, and soft skills training. Attendees also have a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship by participating in on-site workshops. Shayla emphasized the broad range of job opportunities available, covering sectors from healthcare to IT: 'Every skill set in our area is covered.'

Janet and Shayla also discussed the benefits of local employment over long commutes, noting the mental and financial toll of traveling to work outside the area. Shayla mentioned tools like a commuter calculator to help people evaluate the true cost of commuting, advocating for the viability of local jobs.

Interested parties can find more details about the Widget Cup and Employer Expo on the Frederick County EDA website at yesfrederickva.com.