JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As artificial intelligence transforms the workforce, WareWorks Skilled Trades Institute is helping Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida members explore careers that will continue to rely on human skill, craftsmanship, and hands-on expertise. Through an interactive mobile learning lab, students will experience firsthand what it takes to build careers in high-demand skilled trades that power our communities every day.
Media are invited to visit the Orange Park Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida location as students step inside the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Learning Lab, featuring more than a dozen immersive career simulations in welding, CDL driving, crane operations, heavy equipment, electrical trades, plumbing, and utilities. The experience gives students ages 13 and older a hands-on look at career opportunities that are essential to building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure.
Media Opportunity:
Monday, July 13
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
BGCNF at Orange Park High School
2300 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073
Visual Opportunities
- Students participating in immersive skilled trades simulations.
- Interactive demonstrations inside the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Learning Lab.
- Students exploring careers in welding, heavy equipment, electrical trades, CDL driving, crane operations, plumbing, and utilities.
- Interviews with students, Boys & Girls Clubs leaders, and WareWorks representatives.
- Wide shots and b-roll of the state-of-the-art mobile learning lab.
Interview Opportunities
- WareWorks Skilled Trades Institute representatives.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida leadership.
- Students participating in the interactive experience.
Why It Matters
With employers across the country facing a growing shortage of skilled trades professionals, programs like this are helping introduce the next generation to careers that offer strong demand, competitive wages, and opportunities that require the uniquely human skills technology cannot easily replicate.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida
For over 60 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida has enabled young people to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The organization operates 59 Clubs across Alachua, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties, including 13 community-based Clubs, 40 school-based sites, and 6 park locations. The Clubs serve approximately 5,000 youth each day and extend their impact to more than 55,000 additional youth through community outreach initiatives.
Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs during critical non-school hours and during the summer. Club programs promote five core areas: Character & Leadership, Education & Workforce Readiness, the Arts, Health & Wellness, and Sports & Recreation. Learn more at bgcnf.org.
About WareWorks
WareWorks Skilled Trades Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to connecting students to opportunities in the skilled trades through community partnerships. By bringing together employers, educators, workforce organizations and community leaders, WareWorks creates innovative pathways that inspire students, strengthen the skilled trades talent pipeline and support regional economic growth. Through hands-on career exploration, workforce initiatives and strategic collaboration, WareWorks is helping build the next generation of skilled trades professionals across Northeast Florida. Learn more at wareworksfl.com
