Written by Jobs Fraser Coast
When you hear the phrase “careers showcase”, you could probably be forgiven for picturing rows of booths and banners, fistfuls of pamphlets, and plenty of overwhelmed young faces as the confusing prospect of choosing a future career looms large.
The Fraser Coast Industry and Careers Showcase is not that event.
Taking place on October 12 at the Maryborough Showgrounds, this exciting new expo aims to bring employers and trainers together with jobseekers of all ages, with a view not just to filling vacancies now but also to building future careers and workforces.
The indoor-outdoor event will feature live and interactive demonstrations, hands-on experiences and give attendees the chance to chat to local industry experts for a real-world take on roles across a wide range of sectors.
The one-stop employment shop is the brainchild of the Fraser Coast Regional Jobs Committee, which is funded by the Queensland Government and has the weighty task of supporting the growth and development of a strong, capable and skilled workforce in the region.
Committee chair Michelle Hay, who is also head of University of Sunshine Coast’s Fraser Coast campus, said the team behind the showcase hoped it would become a pivotal part of the annual calendar and continue to build a sustainable local economy.
“We see aspiration-building as one of our key roles, so it was important for us to think big with this event too,” Michelle said.
“We still have higher than average unemployment in this region, but at the same time there are a lot of jobs available that employers are struggling to fill.
“There are exciting opportunities that some people might not know about or have considered before, and jobseekers will have the chance to chat to industry representatives, ask questions, maybe dispel some myths and find out the pathway to get there.”
Among the enthusiastic participants in the showcase will be Urangan State High School Link and Launch coordinator Emma Amor, whose mission is to connect young people with training, study and work options after finishing school, particularly if doors aren’t immediately opening for them.
“Finding a job or career that’s the right fit for you is so important to building your self-worth and good mental health,” Emma said.
“I see this showcase as a great opportunity for both students and parents to see what’s out there locally, find out what you have to do to get there – whether it’s a forklift ticket, a course, or some other skills or learning – and meet some influential people you might not ordinarily get the chance to talk to.
“We’ll be telling our kids to go along with their resumes in hand and show these employers what they’ve got.”
Michelle said while students and school leavers would be a strong focus of the showcase, the event was open to jobseekers of all ages – and she encouraged people to come along, whether they were returning to the workforce after a break, looking for a career change or just looking for inspiration.
“Employers have never been so flexible,” she said.
“There are options such as job sharing, flexible hours and working remotely. Employers are trying to appeal to segments of the community they’ve never previously appealed to.
“So not only do we want this showcase to help grow our own workforce, we also want to change perceptions both of employers and jobseekers of what’s possible when you think outside the box.”
For more information about the event, head to jobsfrasercoast.com.au/industry-showcase.