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Skilled Trades Expo set at Canfield Fairgrounds

CANFIELD — Adults and students wanting to explore a career in the skilled trades can connect first-hand with professionals at the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

Separate sessions for students in seventh to 12th grades will take place 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. The adult session is 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Each session has a distinct purpose, according to Gary Hartman, services director for The Builders Association, which organizes the expo.

For students, it’s more educational to introduce them to the variety of skilled trades positions and the financial security they can provide. This falls in line with the trend of more and more schools educating students on opportunities after graduation other than college.

For adults, the expo presents a chance to find a new or different career immediately, Hartman said. Across the local trades, Hartman said, more than 500 apprenticeships are available.

“In the past, it might have been maybe 10 apprenticeship positions and 50 applicants and a lot of time now what we are seeing is the opposite of that … so the opportunity factor is definitely there,” Hartman said.

All of the trades will be represented as will some companies. The displays are interactive to allow participants to experience the industry directly under the supervision of certified industry professionals.

Students from Mahoning, Columbiana and Portage counties will attend Wednesday and students from Trumbull County and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania will attend Thursday. Students from Portage County and Crawford County, Pa., also are expected to attend.

About 5,000 students are expected to attend over the two days.

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