BridgeYear, a Houston-based youth workforce development nonprofit, will host a community Career Test Drive® Fair on Friday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Garden, located at 6856 Bellaire Blvd, Building 5, Houston, TX 77074. The event is free and open to the public, with no pre-registration or admission fee required. This event marks a significant expansion of BridgeYear’s signature Career Test Drive® Program, typically held in schools, by opening it to local students, families, and community members who may lack access to structured career exploration.
Seven employer-sponsored career simulation stations will be active, allowing participants to perform hands-on tasks under the guidance of working professionals. Stations include Automotive Technician (sponsored by Gulf States Toyota), Surgical Technologist (sponsored by Memorial Hermann), Refinery Operator (sponsored by Phillips 66), Manufacturing Technician (sponsored by The Friedkin Group & Accelerated Solutions Group), as well as Electrician, HVAC Technician, and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). These simulations provide direct, experience-based introductions to middle-skills careers that require short-term certifications or technical training rather than a four-year degree.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, skilled trades and healthcare support occupations are among the fastest-growing sectors in Texas, with demand outpacing supply in fields like HVAC, nursing support, and automotive service. The Houston area, which employs the largest concentration of petrochemical workers in the nation, offers immediate relevance for refinery and manufacturing pathways. “The goal of a Career Test Drive® Fair is straightforward: students and young people should have the opportunity to try a career before committing to a training path,” said Victoria Chen, Executive Director of BridgeYear. “For many participants, this is their first direct contact with professionals in these fields. That exposure shapes what they consider possible.”
In addition to simulations, a community resources area will feature representatives from local workforce programs, educational institutions, and social support organizations. Community organizations interested in anchoring a resource table may contact BridgeYear through bridgeyear.org.
BridgeYear operates three primary programs: the Career Test Drive® program for grades 7-12, the MorePathways® platform (a free searchable database of low-cost training programs), and the Career Cohort program offering tuition-free certification and earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships for graduating seniors not pursuing a college degree. The organization partners with Gulf States Toyota, Memorial Hermann, Phillips 66, The Friedkin Group, Honeywell, and the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Learn more at www.bridgeyear.org.
