Students, recent graduates and those exploring new career paths are being invited to the free Knox Youth Career Expo on 24 August.
Hosted by Council and the Outer Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network, the expo is for people aged 15-25 who want to get help with resume writing, interview skills and finding apprenticeships, as well as meet local employers with vacancies.
Exhibitors include local employers looking to recruit young people, volunteer organisations, social enterprises and employment services, including apprenticeship providers.
One of them will be Ferntree Gully disability support service, Interchange Outer East.
Pathways Coordinator Kate Stephenson said they chat with youth about career and study pathways and provide information about disability support work and different employment opportunities within the sector and our organisation.
“We can provide a really strong foundation for young people to move into jobs via our volunteer program as they progress through their schooling and further study.
“We have a lot of school-aged volunteers and young people engaged in our weekend, school holiday and day service programs,” she said.
Ms Stephenson said they also have people who are completing work placement as part of their Certificate III, Certificate IV, diplomas and Bachelor degrees.
“We sometimes have a chat about different people’s experiences about having a GAP year and what that may look like.
“We can provide students looking for an alternative pathway to education and not necessarily wanting to go to university with opportunities to do something a bit different and volunteer or undertake placement to try things out before committing to a study or career pathway,” she said.
At last year’s event, which attracted over 100 people, one job seeker lined up two job interviews for the following day and was offered a job by the end of the week.
The expo will also have opportunities for young people and their parents to discuss career pathways, including school-based apprenticeships to get a head start on their careers.
The Knox Youth Career Expo will be held on Thursday 24 August from 5.30pm- 7.30pm at the KIOSC Swinburne Trade Training Centre, 369 Stud Road, Wantirna South.
Registrations can be placed on eventbrite.com.au/e/knox-youth-career-expo-2023-tickets-629666478387
