PIQUA — Upper Valley Career Center Executive Director Jason Haak and Apprenticeship Coordinator Tony Trapp are in Germany to attend the Hannover Messe global trade fair for industrial technology. They will attend the event with representatives from Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Troy Development Council. That group joins the JobsOhio delegation led by Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.

“We are honored to represent this region and career and technical education on this global platform,” said Haak on Friday.

Besides attending the April 25-29 event Haak and Trapp will be meeting with business representative to explore the European approach to apprenticeships. Specifically they will look at the German model where nearly 60 percent of school-age students train as apprentices.

Trapp will share the Career Center’s success with work-learn opportunities. “Apprenticeships are working at Upper Valley — literally.” Trapp said. The school’s Pre-Apprenticeship program was the first to be certified by the state of Ohio last fall, and now serves as the state’s model program.

“The benefit to students and sponsoring businesses is remarkable,” said Haak. “This school’s accomplishments in this area aligns with JobsOhio and local development goal to attract and retain foreign investment in the region.”

Hannover Messe expects to host more than 200,000 attendees from more than 70 countries, including global investors and government officials. The U.S. is the partner country. President Obama will appear at the fair’s official opening ceremony and were scheduled for the traditional opening tour with Chancellor Merkel on Monday, April 25.