Industry & careers showcase returns to help local people secure local jobs

Showcase launch. From left: Josh Linwood, Allweld Manufacturing; Michelle Hay, Jobs Fraser Coast Chair; Minister Di Farmer; Adrian Tantari;  Mayor George Seymour.

The Fraser Coast Industry & Careers Showcase is coming back in 2023, helping more people in the region to discover their new career and find the pathway to get there. 

The announcement was made today by Minister for Employment, Small Business, Training and Skills Development Di Farmer, and follows a highly successful inaugural event that attracted more than 2,000 students and jobseekers and more than 80 organisations.

The event will be held at the Maryborough Showgrounds on Wednesday, June 7, and is a partnership between Fraser Coast Regional Council and Jobs Fraser Coast, a Regional Jobs Committee proudly funded by the Queensland Government. 

Minister Farmer encouraged community members of all ages to attend the free event, which supports local jobs for local people by bringing employers and trainers together with students and jobseekers. 

“There will be so many great opportunities available with industries including trades and manufacturing, timber and agriculture, health and aged care, defence, police and emergency services, education and more,” she said.  

“This is an exciting time for the Fraser Coast, with a range of major projects under way and in the pipeline – but with that economic growth comes significant workforce needs and challenges. 

“The Palaszczuk Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 is designed to respond to those challenges through a range of actions, including school-based apprenticeships, cross-skilling opportunities and local solutions.

“The showcase supports all of those things and I strongly encourage jobseekers and businesses alike to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.” 

Jobs Fraser Coast Chair Michelle Hay said she was excited to build on the success of last year's Fraser Coast Industry and Careers Showcase.

“We’ve brought the event forward this year in response to schools, who wanted their students to be able to make or change subject selections as a result of industries and information they discovered on the day,” Ms Hay said. 

“But the Showcase is about more than students. It’s for everyone, whether you’re trying to map out your future, find your first job, change careers, or downshift towards retirement.

“There is no other event locally that brings employers, trainers, students and jobseekers together in the one place, offers hands-on and live-action experiences, and gives people easy access to experts in their field.

“That potent combination led to a range of great outcomes last year, including a wide range of vacancies and apprenticeships secured by local people. We want to see that happen again as we work to grow our own strong, skilled and capable workforce.” 

Among the success stories was Allweld Manufacturing, a Maryborough-based business that custom-manufactures trucks, emergency vehicles, boats and a range of other specialist transporters. 

Director Josh Linwood said he walked away from the 2022 Showcase with more than 70 resumes from young people and went on to employ two new trade apprentices and a school-based apprentice from youngsters he met on the day. 

“If we can continue to build our business while giving local kids a great start in the workforce, for us that’s what it’s all about,” Mr Linwood said.

“The Showcase is excellent because people get to check out the wide range of industries the Fraser Coast has on offer, see what’s the right fit for them, and possibly get to meet their future boss in a relaxed setting. 

“We’d absolutely recommend the event both to employers and jobseekers. It’s a great recruitment and exposure tool for your business, and gives you the chance to support your community by hiring local people.” 

The Fraser Coast Industry & Careers Showcase is open to people of all ages from 1pm – 5pm, with a special focus for secondary students from 10am – 2pm.

For more details, visit www.jobsfrasercoast.com.au/industry-showcase or follow Jobs Fraser Coast’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages for regular updates.