Nearly 40 technical schools, local unions, college representatives and vendors gathered at Gateway High School on May 7 for the district’s fifth annual Skilled Trades and Career Fair.
“The setup is similar to the College Fair held during the first semester,” school counselor Kurt Martin said. “The reps all looked forward to spending the afternoon interacting and showcasing post-secondary options with our students.”
National Skilled Trades Day was founded in 2019 by Ohio’s City Machine Technologies and is observed on the first Wednesday in May. The purpose is to recognize the value of skilled trades and honor skilled tradespeople.
The fair is an opportunity for students to learn about the enrollment process and financial aid, discuss educational goals and potentially complete applications.
Senior Wesley Lucas plans to attend Point Park University is the fall for cinema arts, and thinks the skilled trades fair is a great idea for students.
“I think it’s a very helpful thing for incoming students, especially 9th and 10th graders,” Lucas said. “It gives them ideas as to what they want to do after graduation.”
Senior Cheyenne Rollins plans to attend Kent State University for sports psychology. She hopes to get her doctorate and work in Historically Black College and Universities.
Caitlynn Jenkins, also a senior, is still deciding between barber or business school.
“I’d like to cut men and women’s hair, because some salons do both,” Jenkins said. If she attends business school, Jenkins would like to open her own hair salon.
UPMC representatives in health plan information, nursing, information technology and maintenance and facilities attended.
“We are building a new hospital in Oakland called Presbyterian Expansion,” said Adrienne Miles, diversity, equity and inclusion manager for corporate construction. The 17-story building will offer 636 new patient beds.
Miles said they are looking for workers to help with construction. She brought along a virtual reality simulator to show students what the completed hospital will look like.
Kimberly George, a senior system analyst, is a volunteer for UPMC Women in IT.
“We want to educate (students) with all of the career paths in information technology, but, more specifically, in health care IT,” George said. “When you think of health care, you think of doctors and nurses, but IT works in the background 24/7.”
“And it’s a new challenge every day,” software engineer Steve Farkas said.
A new addition to the fair this year was Local Union 66 Construction/Heavy Equipment Operators, who set up their driving simulator and mini training excavator outside so students could get hands-on experience.
Professionals and volunteers from Monroeville fire, EMS and police also had outdoor displays.
Brendan Ferri and Luca Guido are live-in members at the Monroeville Fire Department. Live-in firefighters receive free room and board and have access to free public safety training and college opportunities in exchange for their service.
“It’s basically a frat house with fire trucks,” Guido said. “And it’s a great stepping stone for those that want to become full-time police officers, medics and other public service positions.”
Stephen Connors works part time in EMS and is enrolled in paramedic school.
“It’s really a team effort,” Connors agreed.
“No one strays away from the team,” Ferri added. “We all support each other.”
Senior Peter Chuberko started as a member, and, since turning 18 and completing more training, is now an exterior firefighter.
“I’m graduating on June 3rd, and I’m moving into the firehouse between June 6-10,” Chuberko said. He wants to become an EMT and get a job with the city.
