BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — The room is buzzing at Blount Partnership's Job Signing Day and it's not just because there are welders and electricians in the room.
Nearly 70 graduating seniors from Knox and Blount counties took part in the annual event honoring kids who sign on to work for local businesses right after high school.
"We've got students signing on to be electricians, welders, we've got students signing to be nurses, you have several hospitality employers, marketers, videographers," Blount Partnership Director of Workforce Development Jessica Belitz said. "So all different types of jobs. So anything that a student may be interested in, we really have the opportunity for them right here in Blount County."
Belitz said one of the biggest goals of the event is to show students there isn't just one way to find a career. The Blount Partnership works with local employers all year and makes sure that students have the chance to get hands-on learning experience at those businesses.
"So as students are taking classes at school, they're also going and spending time with employers and getting that practice before they graduate," she said.
It's important for the Blount Partnership to make sure employers have the workers they need in the county.
"Our goal with the event is to make sure we don't have that shortage of workforce," Belitz said. "And that we have pipelines leading straight into the jobs."
Around 30 teens interested in working in the healthcare field signed on to work for Blount Memorial Hospital.
Cousins Peyton Widener and Maddie Roach have been part-time certified nursing assistants for a few months and will work full-time at the hospital soon.
Widener said high school students should pursue nursing if they're interested.
"Don't be afraid to," Widener said. "It's not as hard as you think and it's a good thing to get into."
Roach said her current position allows her to help people who are in the hospital and those people's families.
"You're helping that person and you're making a difference for them," Roach said. "Because they may not be able to help the state they're in. But you can make a difference by how they feel about it. Being there for them and helping them."