Henrico County Public Schools will host its annual Life-Ready Expo on Sept. 17 at Hermitage High School, giving middle and high school students and their families a chance to explore career options and connect with local employers.

The event, open to students in grades 6-12, will feature more than 125 employers and industry leaders from fields including manufacturing, health care, trades, public service, human services and safety. Attendees can learn about career paths, educational requirements, compensation and job growth while exploring opportunities in each of Virginia’s career clusters. 

The Life-Ready Expo will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road. Spanish, Dari and Arabic interpreters will be available. 

Henrico officials describe the event as part of the school division’s broader effort to prepare students to become “life-ready” through the Henrico Learner Profile and its “Journey to 2030” strategic plan. The annual expo has been recognized by the National Association of Counties for innovative career exploration and has been replicated in other parts of the country. 

The event is sponsored by the HCPS Department of Workforce and Career Development. According to HCPS, the Life-Ready Expo is designed to give students hands-on experiences and direct access to professionals, helping them make informed decisions about future careers and educational paths. The school system says the annual event draws enthusiastic crowds of students, families, employers and community partners from across the region.