Envisioning the future - Eighth graders see options at Partnership job fair

Envisioning the future 

Eighth graders see options at Partnership job fair 

October 23, 2025 

SHANON ADAME 

shanona@thedailytimes.com 

About 1,500 students from across the county’s school districts showed up on Wednesday at the Airport Hilton for the Blount Partnership’s annual Blount County Career Exploration Fair. 

The fair is designed for rising high school students and open to all three school districts, as well as homeschooled students. Upon arrival, students were given a piece of paper that tasked them with visiting different participating businesses and asking them questions about their profession. 

Blount Partnership Director of Communications Jeff Muir said over 50 employees showed up to participate, a record for the event. Companies ranged from Smith & Wesson to Blackberry Farm. First responders were also present to talk about their work in the community. 

Muir said the fair aims to provide students with a snapshot of other careers, especially for those who may not yet be able to envision a career outside of what parents or close family have worked in. 

“And then you can come here and see, there’s a whole different world of different things to do in the community. And a lot of these places, businesses here, they’ve located here because they love the workforce here, and you can start and build a career here and go and work for one of these companies when you graduate high school,” Muir said. 

That has certainly been true for Danny Davis Electrical Contractors. 

“Since 2016, we’ve been trying to really focus on growing from within the CTE programs in the schools, trying to attract just a handful of guys a year to come on with us,” Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Director Brian Davis said. Davis explained that Danny Davis offers a registered apprenticeship program, where apprentices can earn credentials through the Department of Labor that state they have completed a fouryear journeyman program in electrical wiring. 

“We also partner with Pellissippi so they get 60 hours credit towards an associate degree,” Davis said. Over 16 years, Davis said they have worked with 42 students through work-based learning or job signing days. 

“It’s been really fulfilling, and just a good experience trying to get guys into the trades,” Davis said.