“We want our students to see the options they have for their futures from companies that are right here in our community or within West Michigan,” said Layn Welker, an Industrial Technology teacher at TKHS.
The fair will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with students being released from classes in groups to visit with industry representatives. The Career Fair will include companies from various sectors including manufacturing; architecture, engineering and construction; healthcare; finance; agriculture, food and natural resources; public safety; community colleges and trade schools; technology; energy; Armed Forces; and insurance.
“Ultimately, we want to help students find a career path and find what works for them. Roughly, 40% of our students won’t go on to a traditional college or university, so this is a great opportunity for them to learn about careers that are available to them and what training they will need. This event is also huge for our college bound students who will be able to network with employers, find internship opportunities and learn about future jobs within these companies,” said Welker.
Even if students aren’t looking for jobs right now, Welker said the networking students can do at the Career Fair is key. “They might be looking for a job later and remember someone they talked to here at the job fair or they might learn more about a career opportunity they hadn’t thought about before.”
He hopes there are also some benefits for the company’s who are sending representatives to the Career Fair. “We know a lot of employers are looking for workers and we have many students who will be looking for work. I’m just thrilled companies are willing to do this for our students and hopefully it’s good for them as well,” said Welker.
The district held a Career Fair last year with companies setting up tents around the football field. This year’s Career Fair is moved into both gymnasiums inside the high school.
“We had three kids last year get hired on the spot at the career fair and a lot of others who made really valuable connections for the future,” said Welker.
Representatives will be talking about possible careers in their companies and giving students some hands-on experience in what they do on a daily basis providing an interactive experience for students.
Welker said it’s also exciting to see the connections between many of the companies and the school. “A lot of them either have graduates from TK working for them or have children going to school here now,” said Welker. “There are a lot of TK ties to many of these companies.”
Industry Partners signed up for the career fair are:
Manufacturing Sector
- Bradford White
- Viking
- Hastings Manufacturing
- TNR
- Kellogg’s
- Spartan Nash
Architect, Engineering and Construction Sector
- Owen, Ames and Kimbel
- VanLaan Concrete
- Vandyken Mechanical
- Choice Concrete
- Burgess Concrete
- Proline Concrete
- Lown Custom Homes
- West Michigan Construction Institute
- Bouma Construction
- Michigan Council of Regional Carpenters
- Burggrabe Masonry
Healthcare Sector
- Thornapple Manor
- Spectrum Health Pennock
- Woodlawn Meadows
- Pinnacle Counseling and Psychotherapy Services
Finance Sector
- MKP CPA’s
- High Point Community Bank
- Edward Jones
- Thornapple Valley Credit Union
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Sector
- Everett’s Landscape
- Sneller Snow Management
- Buskirk Lumber
- GreenMark Equipment
Public Safety Sector
- Barry County Central Dispatch
- Thornapple Fire and EMS
Community Colleges/Trade Schools
- Kellogg Community College
- Kellogg Community College - RMTC
- Bruin Industrial Trades
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Universal Technical Institute
Technology Sector
- Grand Valley Automation
Energy
- Tri County Power
Branches of the Armed Services
- Air Force
- Michigan National Guard
Insurance Sector
- Hastings Mutual Insurance Company