Event to connect students with more than 125 businesses, industry leaders

Henrico County Public Schools invites middle and high school students and their families to the 2026 Life-Ready Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Springs Road. This career exploration event is free and open to all local students in grades 6-12 and their families.

The Life-Ready Expo offers a unique, fast-paced environment where approximately 3,000 to 4,000 attendees can engage directly with more than 125 businesses and industry organizations. Participants will represent a wide range of career sectors, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, human services, trades, public service and safety.

Students can explore careers that align with their passions while learning about essential details for their future, such as career pathways, educational requirements, compensation and future industry growth in hundreds of fields. Beyond exploration, the event serves as a networking hub where older students can connect with employers for immediate internships, job shadowing and employment opportunities.

“Preparing students to become ‘life-ready’ is at the core of our educational goals,” said Beverly Cocke, administrative coordinator of Henrico Workforce & Career Development. “The Life-Ready Expo supports Henrico Schools’ Journey to 2030 by providing flexible, engaging ways for students to pursue their career aspirations.”

The event has been recognized nationally for its innovation by the National Association of Counties and continues to serve as a model for career exploration programs across the country.

Spanish, Dari and Arabic interpreters will be available throughout the evening.

Learn more about the HCPS Department of Workforce & Career Development and its life-ready programs at https://cte.henricoschools.us.