THOUSANDS of residents and people from the great Central West region embraced the opportunity to hear from employment and training providers at Wednesday’s Bathurst Jobs Expo.
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The expo, organised by Bathurst Regional Council, is an annual event that aims to bring job seekers face-to-face with a range of businesses and organisations that could provide them with employment in the future.
Many of those in attendance were school students from the region, who were encouraged to explore the different career paths they could one day follow.
Mayor Graeme Hanger said it was important to council to show residents the employment opportunities that are available right in their own backyard.
“We need council to support the jobs growth industry. Bathurst’s economy is growing at a rate of 2.5 per cent every year, so we’re happy to be a part of that [in showcasing jobs],” he said.
Cr Hanger said that Bathurst is privileged to have a wide variety of industries that people could be employed in, including manufacturing and tourism.
That variety was showcased with the range of stallholders on offer at the expo.
Many of the emergency services and medical professions were exhibited, along with the defence force, fast-food establishments, retail, employment agencies and education providers.
TAFE community services and welfare teacher Trish Preston said the expo had been a good opportunity to let job seekers know about the courses available through the education provider.
She praised council for providing an event that appealed to all kinds of people.
“It is marvelous,” she said. “It’s just absolutely fantastic because it showcases everything to the Bathurst community and the surrounds.”
MacKillop College Year 10 student Sofia King enjoyed the opportunity to explore her different career options for when she finishes high school.
“I don’t really know what I am going to do after school, so I am going around getting ideas,” she said.
Cr Hanger said the event has grown in the years since it was introduced and there was potential for it to become bigger as it continues to provide opportunities for job seekers.
“That’s the really good thing about it, from this comes good things,” he said.