In celebration of National Careers Week, Gunnedah Shire Council is highlighting the importance of aiding young people to connect as they shape their career paths.
Building on this focus, Council's Gunnedah Youth Expo in the Town Hall helped raise aspirations and broaden horizons by linking young people with employers, industries, and education providers during NSW Youth Week in April.
Up to 150 students from five high schools from Gunnedah, Quirindi and Baradine, and young people and their carers were fed by the Rotary Club of Gunnedah West and visited 39 stalls ranging from agribusiness, to banks, legal services, mining companies, community health providers and the Australian Defence Force.
Council staff handed out information about local government careers and trainee opportunities, and five of Council's trainees and apprentices were on hand to answer questions about their experiences in the fields of finance, customer service, governance, and heavy vehicle and plant mechanics.
Council's third-year Heavy Diesel Plant Mechanic apprentice Lachlan Porter was at the centre of many conversations due to the popularity of mechanic apprenticeships among students.
Council's Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said it was a productive and positive day.
"Bringing in young people to talk to the same demographic was very effective. Lachlan talked for an hour with a number of students and it was very constructive," she said.
"The event was well-timed because Council currently has a traineeship on offer in Compliance, so I encourage young people who might be interested in that area to have a look at the careers section of our website."
Year 10 student Olivia Walkom from Carinya Christian School Gunnedah is looking into joining the Australian Navy and said it was really helpful to speak to a Navy medic first-hand at the expo.
"They helped me understand what I have to do to get into that role," she said.
Council's Business Administration Trainee Isobel Haire took the opportunity to discuss medical career pathways with local GP Bronte Appleton who was representing Barber Stret Medical Practice alongside fellow GP Sarah Woodford.
Isobel said Dr Appleton explained the different avenues she could go down and courses that would help her to get where she wants to go.
"I hadn't spoken to an actual doctor before, so it was really helpful," she said.
The 19-year-old said she decided in Year 10 that she wanted to be a GP so she could help people.
"Rural healthcare is really not what it should be, so I really want to be able to support people in that regard," she said.
"I love science and I love people and it's a great way to bring those things together. It's a great way to connect with the community."
The event also provided an opportunity for Council to speak to local young people about the Shire's Youth Working Group. As a result, 39 students expressed interest in attending the Shire's first Youth Consultative Council meeting on Wednesday, 27 May at 5:30pm at PCYC Gunnedah.
Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey spoke at the Youth Expo about the importance of investing in the region's youth and Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller echoed this sentiment.
"Our youth are our future, so we need to get alongside them and support them in any way we can," she said.
"We want our young people to gain skills and remain a part of our community, and we also want our young people to explore what is out there, then come back to our community.
"There are many examples of young people leaving to pursue further education then returning to give back, such as Dr Sarah Woodford who advocates for the betterment of rural health and actively engaged with students at the expo.
"I look forward to hearing more stories this year of what our young people are pursuing and achieving."
The Youth Expo was supported by the NSW Government through the Youth Week Grants Program.
For helpful resources on resume writing, interview skills, and career direction and development, visit the National Careers Week website:
https://careersweek.com.au/resources/information-sheets/
Captions:
Gunnedah Youth Expo connects young people with employers, industries, and education providers in NSW Youth Week.
Year 10 Carinya Christian School Gunnedah students Annabelle Hall, Liana Rosenzweig and Olivia Walkom at the Gunnedah Youth Expo.
