REDMOND, Ore. — Hundreds of students packed into the Deschutes County Fairground Friday to meet with dozens of employers at the High Desert Education Service District’s annual Skilled Trades Fair.
“All this is inspiring me to pursue that agriculture or skilled trades life,” Lakeview High School Student Trent McNeley said.
The fair has been going on for nine years, giving students a chance to pursue what they’re interested in.
“We started our CTE students in high school. Some of them went to trade school, and they’re now working for some of the vendors that we have on the floor,” High Desert Education Service District CTE & STEM Regional Director Brook Rich said. “It’s just a really great demonstration of how students can start in high school and really have a long term career in the trades.”
The event featured a variety of jobs in areas such as construction, welding, as an electrician or even in emergency services.
“I just always wanted to do something in the trade industry, whether that was a plumber or electricity,” Crook County High School Student Carlos Rubio said. “I just took an interest in it, and that’s what I’ve been wanting to do. So I’m very happy I got to find out more opportunities about it.”
Some organizations even got to show off jobs students might not think about.
“Beyond an excavating company, we also have mechanics, fabricators, accountants, engineers, and a whole bunch more than what our name implies,” K&E Excavating COO Scott Zollinger said. “To be able to inspire a student to think through some of that, not only with our company but others is neat to do, and to watch that spark happen is exciting.”
It’s giving students a chance to explore their passions.
“I specifically want to go into forensics entomology, which is the study of the bugs at the crime scene,” Ridgeview High School Student Haleigh Hughes said. “I really like entomology and I want to be able to help people in a different way and help solve things and keep places safe.”
And even teach students a new skill while they’re at it. For example, Hayden Homes showed kids how to use and read a tape measure.
“It’s been really rewarding for our construction team to be teaching that actual skill that we hope students can take away,” Hayden Homes Community Engagement & Government Affairs Manager Jenn Kovitz said.
Showing there are career paths other than a four-year degree.
“I don’t really want to go to college. I just feel like it would set me up for debt in the future,” Caldera High School Student Seren Defaew said. “I want to get into jobs right after high school and start making money.”
The High Desert Education Service District offers scholarships to students looking to pursue trade careers.
“It really speaks to broadening the opportunities for scholarships for students who maybe aren’t your picture perfect academic students, but they’re very good at working with their hands and they really want to pursue a career they’re passionate about,” Rich said.