TIPTON, Iowa (Feb. 25, 2025)–Kirkwood Community College’s Workplace Learning Connection (WLC), a work-based learning program for middle school and high school students, has collaborated with regional business partners to host the Cedar County High School Career Fair on Wednesday, March 5, in the Mathews Building at the Cedar County Fairgrounds in Tipton.
The event will serve more than 315 students in grades 10-12 from Tipton, West Branch, and North Cedar high schools, giving them the chance to explore futures in healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, business, the trades, public safety, and many other in-demand career fields. Representatives from 25 area businesses are scheduled to participate in the career fair, with the intention of making connections with talented teenagers from their local communities. The fair also gives these businesses the chance to hand out applications for part-time or post-graduation opportunities.
Each year, the number of businesses interested in being involved in the fair continues to grow.
“This is a workforce where all companies need help,” said Laborers Local 43 Board Member Dan Ness. “Especially in the trades, we need employees. This fair is a great opportunity to reach students early, and show them what great opportunities there are in the trades. We look forward to this event each year.”
The career fair is the largest Cedar County event out of several events organized by WLC. The goal is to help students with post-secondary planning and career exploration by showing them all the opportunities that are available right in their own backyards. Engaging area students early, plays a pivotal role in economic vitality, especially in more rural communities like Cedar County.
“The Cedar County Career Fair is such an exciting event,” said WLC Director Kristine Bullock. “The fair gives students the opportunity to not only learn about different types of careers but also to open their eyes to all the amazing opportunities that are available right in Cedar County and the surrounding area. Businesses are excited to be involved because workforce shortages and pipeline development are top of mind for all industries right now. Getting in front of the next generation of workers is pivotal for continued success for these businesses.”
Business participants for the 2025 Cedar County Career Fair will include: Army National Guard, Carpenters Training Institute, CDS Global, Cedar County Cooperative, Cedar Poly, Cummins Manufacturing, Inc., Eastern Iowa REC, Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc., Kirkwood Community College – College Credit in High School, the Kirkwood Community College Nursing Program, Laborers Local 43, LattaHarris, LLP, Local 25 Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC, Ironworkers Local 89, P&K Midwest, PCI Academy, River Valley Cooperative, Tipton Ambulance, Tipton Development, Tipton Electric Department, Tipton Police, United States Marine Corps, UnityPoint Jones Regional Medical Center, the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and University of Iowa Radiation Sciences.
For more information, while attending the career fair, please contact Brittany Slaubaugh at (319) 530-5465.
*****EVENT*****
What: Cedar County High School Career Fair
When: Wednesday, March 5 (Snow/make-up date of Thursday, March 6, if needed)
Where: Cedar County Fairgrounds Mathews Building, Tipton
Time: 8:45 – 11:30 a.m.