Butler County Career Fair held in Greene

GREENE – Butler-Grundy Development Alliance hosted its first-ever Butler County High School Career Fair on Wednesday, April 27 at North Butler High School.

Approximately 200 students from Aplington-Parkersburg, Clarksville, North Butler, and Waverly-Shell Rock high schools had the opportunity to talk with recruiters and staff from 25 different companies or employers that are located in or have a presence in Butler County and the immediate area. 

Also on hand was the IowaWORKS employment agency, Hawkeye Community College and North Iowa Area Community College.  A wide range of employers were represented; several manufacturers, along with IT and networking, ag and bio processing, distribution and logistics, law enforcement and public safety, construction trades, marketing, agriculture support, and others.

Jeff Kolb, Executive Director for the economic development organization, said the purpose for the event was to introduce the area 10th through 12th grade students to opportunities for a future with a good career right in their own backyard, with most starting right out of high school or with a two-year degree from community colleges.

“For the past 20 years, our organization has been focused on attracting new employers, and helping our existing companies grow, and we have had good success,” Kolb added. “We are now shifting our focus to workforce development and attraction.”

Planning is currently underway to hold a duplicate event for Grundy County schools and employers this fall, with the hope to expand participation from all school districts in both counties and make the job fair an annual event at a rotation of high schools in each county.

The Butler-Grundy Development Alliance expressed thanks to the participating employers; participating schools for allowing students to attend; to North Butler High School for hosting the career fair; and to Butler County REC for support and assistance.