TAMPA, Fla – At Middleton High School — and 30 other campuses across Hillsborough County — seniors are getting an early start on their future careers.

Workforce Development Partners has officially launched this year’s Future Career Academy Business Panel Series, a hands-on program designed to bridge the gap between education and employment. The nine-day series brings business leaders and recruiters from across Tampa Bay directly into schools to talk with students about high-demand jobs, training programs, and career pathways.

The program is expected to reach roughly 15,000 seniors from 31 public high schools throughout the county. 

Employer partners include some of the region’s largest names — TECO, BayCare Health System, HCA Healthcare, Miller Electric, Mosaic, AdventHealth, and several municipal agencies, including the City of Tampa, City of Plant City, and Hillsborough County.