For school leavers the question “What to do next” is often difficult to answer. Studying a degree at one of New Zealand’s universities? Learning an in-demand trade? Taking up an exciting tourism job? School leavers are spoilt for choice but having all these opportunities, can also be daunting. A great way to take an in-depth look at the different options is the annual Career’s Expo.
Organised by the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Career’s Expo Trust, the Expo particularly targets senior secondary school students. However, anybody who is keen to upskill or willing to change his or her career is welcome to come along to the public session on Tuesday evening. A special invite goes out to parents who will appreciate the exchange with the exhibitors in order to support and advise their children.
“It’s all about discussing pathways as well as looking at possible study and work options,” says event manager and trustee Kerre Devonport-Ward who has been organising the event for the past four years.
“Nowadays young people can go in so many different directions. That’s why it is great to have as many conversations as possible about how to shape their future.”
This year there are 50 providers present, of which all the eight New Zealand universities, the national tourist schools, hotel management and design schools, the Premiere Institute of Education which is focused on hairdressing, various forestry groups, the New Zealand School of Drama, the New Zealand Institute of Sport and the New Zealand Police, to name a few. On top of that industry representatives will give a great insight into what it means to work for them.
Additionally, there are career advisors, StudyLink and representatives from Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and both the Hastings and Napier Youth Council who will engage with students and advise them on how to write CVs or apply for scholarships.
“The unique thing about the event is that visitors can find all the exhibitors under one roof. Students are able to gather enough information to compare their options and make informed career decisions,” says Kerre.
Right from the start, EIT was delighted to see lots of positive engagement with prospective students who enjoyed the hands-on activities organised by EIT’s different schools.
The Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Career’s Expo Trust is a charitable organization. Money that is made from running the event, goes back into scholarships for school leavers. Every school who attends can put forward one student applicant. “It’s great to be able to support students given that some of them are the first ones in their family to take up a tertiary education,” says Kerre.
This year the Careers Expo is held at the Pettigrew Green Arena in Taradale on the Tuesday, 21st and Wednesday, 22nd of May with a free open public evening on Tuesday, 4.30 to 6.30pm.