Teachers at all levels of education are noticing the changing career landscape that awaits their students following their graduation from school. Trade schools in particular, which are already built around preparing students for a specific job or career, are predicting that more students will enroll in their programs to get jobs relating to manufacturing and robotic technology.

Schools with these programs in Butler County, including the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School and Butler County Community College, have good track records for placing students in jobs post-graduation.

David Hockenberry, an instructor in the advanced manufacturing and robotics technology program at the vocational-technical school, said the growth in demand for programs like his are mirrored by the growth in the local job market.

“I could do a hundred,” he said about placing students with local tech jobs. “And that would make the Butler County manufacturers very happy if I did.”

Hockenberry noted employers like Oberg, Penn United Technologies and Chick Machine Company are frequently hiring. He also said graduates from the school often go on to apprenticeship programs or additional training at trade schools or community colleges, and skills students learn are transferable across multiple career paths.

It’s good to know that local teachers like Hockenberry have recent experience with what students will do in future technological career paths and know where to send students once they finish their schooling. Butler County has many career paths for young people, but also many places for them to prepare for those paths.

— ET