BUTLER TWP — High school students and their families packed the cafeteria at Butler High School Thursday evening to visit the more than 80 colleges, universities and trade schools set up as part of an annual college fair.

School representatives stood shoulder to shoulder at tables as long lines of students formed at some of the more local or well-known post-secondary schools.

However, in the adjacent hallways, foot traffic dropped considerably for the dozen or so employers and trade apprenticeship programs that were on hand to deliver the message that students can start on the path to great careers right now.

Above each of their displays were posters detailing top careers and the jobs most in demand, as well as the skills, certifications and education needed to attain them.

The setting was that of the first Butler County College and Career Fair, which was organized by the Butler County Educators and Employers in partnership with the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board.

The goal, according to Deb Hall, Butler High's guidance counselor, was to present different types of careers.

She said since the school already had a successful college fair, the idea was to expand its scope by bringing in employers and opening it up to all county high school students and their families.

“With our economy, our students need to be aware of where their opportunities are,” she said.

A few of the employers receiving attention from students represented the health care industry.

“We've got to encourage these kids,” said Cindy Perri, assistant director of human resources for Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Jefferson Township.

She said her organization is always looking for workers and encourages youth considering a career in the field to try entry-level positions to see if health care is right for them. She added many high schoolers who start in positions such as dietary aides move on to become nurses.

Mary Jane McAdams of Lutheran SeniorLife said she always tells students the health care field can lead to both traditional and nontraditional careers. For example, a registered nurse can move into administrative or educational roles with care providers. Plus, health care offers flexible schedules to those who are in school, she said.

Rhonda Sarvey and her daughter, Jennifer, were among a small group picking up information from Butler Health System's table.

“You find out there are so many more colleges than you thought there were,” Rhonda Sarvey said about the event.

Jennifer Sarvey, a senior at Butler, said helping people is what attracted her to the health care field. A student in Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School's health assistant program, she is still deciding on what career path to take.

In another hallway, manufacturers, construction companies and trade unions set up displays.

Dave Schelbe of Gatan Inc. was using a PowerPoint presentation to highlight the need for skilled workers in the high-tech manufacturing industry.

The San Francisco-based company makes instruments for electron microscopes at a facility in Warrendale.

He said students need to be exposed to these opportunities at a younger age. He also highlighted employment and wage statistics in Pennsylvania. He said the average starting wage for high-tech machine operators in Pennsylvania is about $18 per hour, adding that Gatan pays more than that.

Kristen Bastaja of Penn United Technologies in Jefferson Township said she was glad to have the opportunity to talk to parents about manufacturing.

“I don't know how many students are interested in 401(k)s and benefits right now, but their parents are,” she said.

Jim Boyle, owner of Boyle Inc. in Freeport, said manufacturing companies need to effectively communicate with parents and continue to try to reach young people.

He said many manufacturers, such as his 19-person machine shop, are in need of employees now. At the same time, many skilled workers are nearing retirement.

Jason Fincke of the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania was helping students and parents learn about getting into trade schools and apprenticeship programs.

He said career opportunities in the building trades will continue to be abundant in Western Pennsylvania because so many of the positions, such as heavy equipment operators, are already running at about 100 percent employment.

“You can't outsource construction,” he said.

Rick Okraszewski, training director for the Carpenters Training and Educational Fund of Greater Pennsylvania, agreed.

Plus, he said apprenticeships and education programs can lead to advancement. He offered his own story as an example.

Thirty-five years ago, after spending two years in college, he realized he preferred to work with his hands. So, he left to pursue carpentry and continued to learn about the business side of the industry over the years.

“You can start as an apprentice and end up the owner of your own company and everything in between,” he said.

Ron Kubitz, recruiting manager for Brayman Construction Corp. in Clinton Township, said while most students were looking at traditional, four-year colleges, trade-related industries need quality people at all levels.

For example, Brayman, a large heavy construction company, hires new high school graduates all the way to experienced and highly skilled engineers and project managers.

Zach Iron, a senior at Butler, was one of those students getting information on building trades.

While he wasn't sure what he wanted to do yet, he said he definitely wanted to have a hands-on career.

His classmate, Nicholas Marzullo, on the other hand, had his mind made up to pursue a career in the restaurant industry.

“I like knowing I can cook something and see a big smile on their face,” he said.

He is in the culinary arts program at vo-tech and already has about two years of experience working for a catering and pizza business. He said he started as a dishwasher and has worked his way into better positions. He planned to enroll at a culinary institute after graduating.

“I would like to open up my own restaurant,” he said, adding his ultimate goal would be to have a high-class eatery.

Also taking a walk by the trades area was Heather Neff and her daughter Leah Osche, a senior at Butler.

An emergency medical technician, Neff admitted she has probably had an impact on Leah, who said she planned to go to college to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist.

“It's something I wish they would have had when I was in school,” Neff said.