Flipping the Script: How Reverse Job Fairs Connect Career and Technical Education Students and Employers

Thursday, November 6, 2025

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Room: Venice 2

Presenter(s)

Yanira Cisneros (she/her/hers)

Bilingual Business Development Manager
Yakima County Development Association
Yakima, Washington

Panelist(s)

Travis Piatz

COO
South Central Workforce
DM

Darren Maxfield

Executive Director
Swan Graphics, Washington
CS

Clements See

College & Career Readiness Specialist
Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center
BS

Bonnie Smith

Exec Director / Principal
Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center

Presentation Purpose & Goal: Learn practical ways to strengthen local talent pipelines, improve employer engagement, and give Career and Technical Education (CTE) students meaningful, real-world experience that sets them apart. This session highlights how the Yakima County Development Association, local schools, and workforce partners are using Reverse Job Fairs to flip the traditional hiring event by putting students and job seekers in the spotlight, giving them the chance to showcase their talents and skills directly to employers. Discover how this fresh approach helps businesses connect with emerging talent, raises awareness of local CTE programs, and builds relationships that can be adapted to benefit your community’s workforce ecosystem.

Learning Objectives:

Discover how the Reverse Job Fair model works and how it differs from traditional hiring events, and when it’s the right fit compared to other approaches
Learn practical steps to plan and implement a Reverse Job Fair in partnership with schools, CTE programs, and workforce development partners
Identify strategies for preparing students to showcase their skills effectively and engage confidently with employers
Understand common challenges and solutions for building employer buy-in, setting clear expectations, and ensuring a successful event that strengthens relationships with the local business community