NEW BEDFORD – Recruiters from more than 100 colleges and universities will be at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School during the month of October, looking for GNB Voc-Tech students interested in pursuing a higher education after high school.

GNB Voc-Tech will host a series of College Mini-Fairs on October 1, 15 and 22. Similar Fairs will be held at the same time in conjunction with New Bedford High School, Fairhaven High School, and Old Rochester Regional High School.

The mini-fairs are planned by a group of area guidance counselors. More than 100 colleges and universities, advanced technical schools, and military service branches are expected to take part.

“We encourage our students to continue their education,” said Charles F. Gately, a guidance counselor at GNB Voc-Tech. “These mini-fairs help them learn more about their options, including college.”

Last year, more than 70% of the graduating class at GNB Voc-Tech reported that they planned to go to college, enroll in advanced technical schools, or enter the military.

Forty-three schools or military branches will be represented at the first mini-fair on October 1. They are expected to include Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Bay State College, Curry College, Elmira College, Fitchburg State College, Hesser College, High Point University, International Institute of Culinary Arts, Keene State College, Lasell College, Lincoln Technical Institute, Manhattanville College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massasoit Community College, Merrimack College, New England Institute of Art, New England Institute of Technology, New Hampshire Community Technical College-Nashua/Honda PACT, New England Institute of Technology, New England Institute of Art, Quinnipiac University, Smith College, Southern Vermont College, Thomas College, United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Army National Guard, University of Maine, Wagner College, Wheaton College, Paul Smith’s College, University of Vermont, University of Southern Maine, Stonehill College, UMass Dartmouth, Mass Bay Community College, Cape Cod Community College, New England College, Pine Manor College, Fisher College, Save Regina University, College of Sr. Joseph, Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Services, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

The mini-fairs will be held at four area high schools: GNB Voc-Tech, New Bedford High School, Fairhaven High School, and Old Rochester Regional High School. Recruiters stay at each of the schools for about one hour, talking with seniors and distributing literature.

The college recruiters will have lunch at GNB Voc-Tech. Meals are prepared by students in the school’s Culinary Arts program, one of 28 career majors at GNB Voc-Tech.