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Careers Expo an important New England event

May 12, 2006

Kerry.thumb.JPGThe Armidale and District Careers Expo last week was the biggest and most comprehensive to date. Organisers were delighted by the record numbers of students and exhibitors who converged on the Wright Centre at The University of New England.

The response from schools and individual students to this careers expo highlighted the importance of the annual event to its New England region catchment area, according to an organising committee spokesperson, Kerry De Jong.

“This Careers Expo catered for all interests,” said Ms De Jong (pictured here), who is an Events Coordinator at UNE. “There were close to 100 exhibitors – 35% more than last year. Some addressed local skills shortage issues, outlining training options such traineeships and apprenticeships.”

“The Expo was designed to be as exciting and inspiring as possible,” she continued. “Armidale’s Fleet Helicopters were there with a helicopter and insight into what it takes to achieve a career in aviation. There were 15 universities represented alongside 45 other training and education organisations. Australian Defence Force and Police recruitment officers were among the many representatives of government agencies at the Expo. Students were given the opportunity to see what university life is like at UNE, taking in the residential, academic, sporting and social aspects of the campus."

“However," she said, "what really makes the Armidale and District Careers Expo important as a stand-alone event is that it provides an abundance of information for young adults to make informed decisions about their future without the expense of a long journey. The central location of The University of New England to the New England region reduces the tyranny of distance and cost. Students were able to come to the Armidale Expo from Tenterfield as a day trip, but to go to Tamworth might have required an overnight stay.”

“It was absolutely fantastic,” Ms De Jong concluded. “We had more than 1,000 students at the Armidale and District Careers Expo. We saw busloads of students from surrounding towns such as Glen Innes and Uralla, and individual students coming from farther afield.

“The event has continued to grow because career and further education options are presented in an entertaining, yet mature fashion. The students were treated as young adults with important decisions to make about their future. To help them, we had hands-on demonstrations, displays, and personal insights from industry and education representatives.”

Posted by Jim Scanlan at May 12, 2006 04:29 PM