Spring break is over, but more than 5,000 students from all over Florida will gather next week in Pensacola for the 2013 Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo and Florida SkillsUSA State Competition.

Florida SkillsUSA competitors will face off to showcase their technical trade talents and leadership abilities at the Florida SkillsUSA State Competition, which will be held in conjunction with the Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo April 29-30 at Pensacola Bay Center.

The Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo will introduce more than 3,000 seventh- and eighth-grade students, and more than 2,500 high school and college students, to different occupations. The expo will feature hands-on and interactive experiences in 12 “worlds” ranging from the "World of Energy” to the “World of Finance.”  

Gulf Power Company is a major sponsor and will be participating in the "World of Energy" experience.

“We are so excited to connect with students in the ‘World of Energy’ again this year,” said Jennifer Grove, Gulf Power’s Workforce Development coordinator. “We’re hopeful this expo will help spark the interest of many students to carefully consider their education so they can begin preparing for a career in the energy industry.”

The event, which is estimated to have a $3 million economic impact on the local community, is being hosted by Pensacola State College and coordinated through the efforts of business representatives from many area businesses/agencies including Gulf Power, Greater Pensacola Chamber/VISIT Pensacola, Workforce EscaRosa, Escambia County Tourism Development Council, Home Builders Association of West Florida and Santa Rosa County and Escambia County school districts.   

The Emerald Coast Classic Electrathon 120 race competition, sponsored by the Gulf Power Engineering Society, is part of the event and will be held April 27 at Five Flags Speedway on Pine Forest Road. High school competitors from across the state, as well as teams from Texas and California, will race electric vehicles in two 60-minute races. The races are at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The public is invited to attend this electrifying event.


SkillsUSA has more than 300,000 members nationwide and serves as a partnership between students, teachers and industry working together to ensure the United States has a skilled workforce.

To learn more about the Worlds of Possibilities Expo, visit http://www.worldsofpossibilities.com/. For more information about the event, contact Jennifer Ponson at 850-484-2245, or by email at jponson@pensacolastate.edu.

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 430,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”

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