HOUSTON — On June 12, BridgeYear, a Houston-based youth workforce development nonprofit, will host a free community Career Test Drive® Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Garden, located at 6856 Bellaire Blvd, Building 5, Houston, TX 77074. The event is open to the public with no pre-registration or admission fee required.
This fair marks a significant community-facing expansion of BridgeYear’s signature Career Test Drive® Program, which typically operates within school settings. By opening the event to local students, families, and community members, BridgeYear aims to provide structured career exploration to those who might not otherwise have access.
Seven employer-sponsored career simulation stations will be active, allowing participants to perform hands-on tasks under the guidance of working industry professionals. The 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; Electrician; HVAC Technician; and Licensed Vocational Nurse.
The event focuses on middle-skills career pathways—thriving 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 labor demand outpacing supply in fields like HVAC, nursing support, and automotive service. Additionally, the Houston metropolitan area employs the largest concentration of petrochemical workers in the United States, making refinery and manufacturing pathways highly relevant to the regional workforce.
“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 of the participants we work with, this is their first direct contact with professionals in these fields. That exposure shapes what they consider possible.”
In addition to the simulations, the fair will feature a community resources area where attendees can speak with representatives from local workforce programs, educational institutions, and social support organizations. Community organizations interested in hosting a resource table can contact BridgeYear through bridgeyear.org.
BridgeYear operates three primary programs in Houston. The Career Test Drive® program serves students in grades 7-12. The MorePathways® platform is a free public database of low-cost, short-term training programs. The Career Cohort program provides tuition-free certification training 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.
