Wednesday was the time set aside to show off that work to the public, including prospective students.

During the school day, visitors from Beaty-Warren Middle School and Warren Area High School were welcomed. In the evening, there was an open house at the building — which houses more than the career center programs.

Students toured the shops, from auto body — which had race cars courtesy of Mill Run Collision Center, to machine tech — which had a replica of a bomb from Ellwood National Forge, to food production and management, and health/medical assisting. The tour included the STRIVE program and the STEM lab — both of which are located in the building, but neither of which is part of the career center’s programming.

“From what I’m hearing from kids, they’re really enjoying themselves,” Beaty Assistant Principal Shelly Wagner said. “They’re enjoying going to all the stations. It’s a beautiful, beautiful building. Lots of great programs. Lots of great opportunities.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Warren County Career Center Protective Services Instructor Mike Noe fits the face-piece of a self-contained breathing apparatus on Beaty-Warren Middle School student Trenton Brown. Beaty students were among several different groups that toured the career center Wednesday.

While students were learning about what the shops and labs had to offer, they were also learning about where those programs could take them.

Collaborating with local employers like Mill Run and Ellwood was a major part of the event.

There were about 40 vendors in attendance, according to Principal Jim Evers.

“We’ve got all the regional colleges, several military recruiters, and a lot of local industry sharing their information with our kids,” Evers said.

“We’re showing off our new facility,” Co-op and TANF Coordinator Bob Smith said. “It’s given students the opportunity to see what’s available at the career center and to see what’s available with local industry.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Students from Beaty-Warren Middle School check out the welding robot in the welding shop at Warren County Career Center. Beaty students were among several different groups who toured the career center Wednesday.

“I’m overwhelmed with the response we’ve had from local industry,” Smith said. “I think that will be an asset for us and for local industry in job placement.”

While Wednesday was the major open house event for the career center, there will be other tour opportunities, especially for students in grades eight and nine, Evers said.