More than 10,000 students from 140 schools will see how their skills and interests can be used for South Australia's growing pipeline of work, in a dedicated careers event on at the Adelaide Showground.
Students can connect with over 200 organisations and employers at the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo, with a strong focus on vocational training and job opportunities for the state's major infrastructure, defence and housing projects.
It comes amid a surge in apprentice and trainee numbers at TAFE SA during the Malinauskas Government's first term – up 39 per cent (8,529 enrolments in 2024-25) compared to three years prior (6,124 enrolments in 2021-22).
Data also shows more than 5,200 students from public schools started a vocational education qualification as part of a Flexible Industry Program in 2025 – helping to get young people into apprenticeships and traineeships and gain skills while in school.
TAFE SA will have a strong presence at the expo and for the first time feature a new house frame built by students showcasing the diverse range of trades involved – including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, bricklaying, painting, and glass and glazing.
A virtual reality welding simulator to promote engineering and welding careers will also be on display.
The expo, which runs until Saturday, will highlight vocational education in schools options – like the Flexible Industry Program – and other future career pathways at the Education Department's Student Pathways and Careers Hub.
Attendees will learn more about the Government's rollout of technical colleges and hear first-hand from existing students on their fast-tracked career paths.
Applications for the 2027 intake are now open at Findon, Modbury Heights, Tonsley, Port Augusta and the Limestone Coast.
The focus on vocational career pathways is particularly important in South Australia, as over the next five years it's predicted the state will need around 80,000 vocational education and training qualifications.
The State Government has made significant investments in skills and training, including the signing of the $2.3 billion National Skills Agreement, delivering Fee-Free TAFE, building five technical colleges with a further three underway and boosting funding for training providers to address skills shortages.
As put by Lucy Hood
There are more opportunities than ever for young South Australians – and this event highlights the many paths they can take to get the best possible start to their career.
Connecting with industry, hearing from our tech colleges and gaining hands-on insights helps students uncover a new passion and engage in sectors of growing demand.
It's important to show young people they don't need to go to university to excel in their future career while building a skilled workforce to deliver on our ambitious infrastructure and housing projects.
As put by TAFE SA Chief Executive Adam Kilvert
TAFE SA has a strong presence at the expo which includes a variety of interactive activities, plus we will have our experts on hand to provide all the latest information and answer questions on qualifications, career paths and employment opportunities.
There is strong demand for skilled workers in our state and we're focused on delivering sought after skills and knowledge – whether it's to a school student looking for a meaningful employment pathway, or existing workers seeking new training options.
