BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — 3,458 students and 209 educators from 12 school districts, as well as private and homeschool networks, actively participated in the SCK LAUNCH Experience this year. This hands-on career expo, designed for eighth-graders, is an annual event in the South Central Kentucky region.
SCK LAUNCH serves as the overarching brand for a K-12 talent development initiative, with the Experience event as a cornerstone of this effort. Now in its eighth year, the event hosted 57 local businesses that created interactive exhibits, giving students a unique opportunity to explore various business sectors.
Prior to attending the event, students are introduced to high-demand careers through a series of lessons designed to help them understand different sectors, the businesses within those sectors, and the career opportunities available. Experience builds a meaningful connection between students’ transition to high school, their career pathways, and their future.
Ron Bunch, President and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the event’s impact:
“As we gather for the 8th annual SCK LAUNCH Experience, it’s incredible to think that more than 20,000 eighth graders across South Central Kentucky have embarked on this journey of career discovery. This event is a key moment where students begin to envision their future careers and explore their passions. We are deeply grateful to the local businesses that brought these exhibits to life and to the investors whose unwavering support makes it all possible. A special thanks to the educators who devote their class time to expanding their students’ horizons. We eagerly anticipate the day when these students return as not just employees, but as leaders and champions of our community.”
Gary Fields, Superintendent of Bowling Green Independent School District, praised the event’s collaborative nature, stating:
“We greatly appreciate the Bowling Green Area Chamber Foundation, our local business community, and area educators for their tireless commitment to enhancing our workforce pipeline. The SCK LAUNCH Experience event provides an unparalleled opportunity for area eighth-grade students to immerse themselves in hands-on activities representing the wide range of careers available right here in our community.”
Rob Clayton, Superintendent of Warren County Public Schools, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, saying:
“SCK LAUNCH Experience offers an extraordinary opportunity for our middle school students to connect with community leaders through engaging, interactive career exploration. This event gives our students invaluable insight into the diverse career pathways available in our region. Our commitment to equitable opportunities for all families is paramount, and initiatives like SCK LAUNCH Experience are instrumental in providing practical experiences to all students. We are grateful to the Chamber and its partners for their investment in our students, our community, and our future.”
The Experience event is a key component of the broader SCK LAUNCH K-12 initiative, a collective effort designed to inspire and build strong education and business partnerships that will drive the talent pipeline for high-demand sectors and fuel the South Central Kentucky economy. The initiative also provides work-based learning opportunities and leadership development to ensure students are equipped for success in their future careers.
To learn more about the SCK LAUNCH initiative or to explore volunteer opportunities, please contact Meredith Rozanski or Sandra Baker at the Chamber or visit scklaunch.com.
SCK LAUNCH is a partnership between the Bowling Green Area Chamber Foundation, the Bowling Green Independent School District, Warren County Public Schools, and local businesses to ensure our future graduates succeed in their careers. It is an overarching talent development strategy to “grow our own” that begins at the earliest opportunity in kindergarten and carries through to graduation
South Central Kentucky leads the state in growth since the 2008 recession. This growth has created career opportunities across all sectors of our economy – from local to international businesses. While there are many pathways to success, SCK LAUNCH focuses on labor market data to inform students and job-seekers about the region’s future high-growth, high-demand careers in our top sectors. The labor market data was validated with members of the local business community.
The sectors include: Construction, Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Public Services, Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics.
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