‘The strength of the Skills & Jobs Centre lies not only in its attendance to individual client needs, but also in strong partnerships with community and local industry, linking training and skills development to relevant employment opportunities and local economy growth.’
On 24 May 2023 the Skills and Jobs Centre, in collaboration with VU Polytechnic’s College of Health and Community, hosted a highly-successful Careers in Health & Community Services Expo. Despite the abundance of job fairs and careers expos taking place concurrently in the local community, this event garnered impressive attendance, attracting more than 220 attendees and demonstrating the high level of ongoing interest in the sector. The Expo featured 14 industry exhibits, along with interactive information sessions and visits to classrooms. High-profile exhibitors including Western Health, Northern Health, The Royal Flying Doctors Service, Estia Health, Blue Cross, Goodstart Early Learning and ESTA 000 were on site at the Expo to speak directly with attendees interested in exploring current employment opportunities. Attendees also had the chance to engage with educators and career counsellors to gain valuable insights into potential career paths and enquire about suitable training. Many attendees secured employment or training opportunities as a direct result of their participation in the Expo.
Numerous educational sessions and engaging activities were conducted throughout the day, designed to provide attendees with both information and hands-on experiences. The day started with a Nursing, Non-Emergency Patient Transport and Emergency Healthcare lab tour, accompanied by interactive activities and Q&A sessions. A student-run simulation scenario also took place, offering participants the chance to witness real-world emergency healthcare situations and engage in discussions with experts. There were also open classrooms and information sessions for Early Childhood Education and Community Services, providing attendees with an opportunity to learn about courses and ask questions directly to teachers and students.
The success of the Careers in Health & Community Services Expo provides valuable insights into the needs of this industry sector which will both assist VU to address these gaps effectively within their course delivery and allow the Skills and Jobs Centre to develop even more impactful resources and events in the future.
Overall, the Expo proved to be a valuable platform for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the health and community services sector. The positive feedback from exhibitors and attendees, as well as the employment and training outcomes resulting from the event, highlight its success in connecting eager individuals with industry.
“One thousand thankyou’s for a sensational Careers Expo for the College of Health and Community – brilliant effort by you and your team! … You pitched to, and captured the absolute right audience to attend (and invited) terrific stall holders – all the big names – very impressive!” – Yvonne Russell, Executive Director College of Health and Community VU Polytechnic
Following this successful event, the Skills and Jobs Centre continues to engage with industry specialists to connect attendees and other clients with suitable employment opportunities in the Health and Community Services sector.
For further information on how to access Skills and Jobs Centre services, including employment opportunities, individual career counselling and online workshops visit: www.skills-jobs-centres.com.au