JEFFERSON TWP — In the first 90 minutes of Penn United Technologies' open house Wednesday, 72 people came to learn about apprenticeships and jobs at the fast-growing company.

An employee-owned precision manufacturer of equipment, parts and tools used in a variety of industries, Penn United Technologies held the open house in recognition of National Apprentice Week to outline apprenticeship programs and available jobs.

“It's been nonstop since 5 o'clock. We're thrilled. Great turnout,” said Kristen Bastaja, corporate recruiter.

The open house gave prospective apprentices and employees a chance to learn about the company, tour manufacturing labs and speak with apprentices such as Marjorie Thomas of Kittanning.

In January, Thomas will enter the third year of the four-year apprenticeship in the tool and die making program in which she is learning to machine metal using a wire electrical discharge machine.

Electrical discharges from the wire EDM machines metal submerged in a fluid without touching the metal.

Her previous job was in sign making and printing.

“I like to create. Creating parts is another form of creating things. The tools and equipment here are amazing,” Thomas said.

Training coordinator Scott Covert said the differences between an apprenticeship and studying for a bachelor's degree from a college are significant.

“An apprenticeship program gives you the opportunity to get paid while you learn,” Covert said.

The company also values college education. It has a dual articulation agreement with Butler County Community College allowing apprentices to earn college credits toward BC3's basic manufacturing workplace certificate, and reimburses tuition for employees who go to college for a job-related degree, he said

“We've been using the apprentice training model since 1973. We like to promote from within. We firmly believe in that apprenticeship model. Our president, Bill Jones, started here as an apprentice,” Covert said.

High school students as well as nontraditional students apply for apprentice programs, he said.

The company has 650 employees. Most are full time.

“These past two years, we've been hiring extensively,” Bastaja said.

Production and sales of medical equipment is a steady growth unit and has helped the company achieve double digit sales increases over the last three or four years, and record total sales of about $140 million last year, said sales engineer Ian Ferguson.

He said manufacturing capabilities are continually being improved through automation.

“We want to be on the front end of innovation,” Ferguson said.