Western Victorian Careers Expo 2023 official program

Employment Consultant - Stawell

St Brigid’s College Horsham year-11 students Emily Botterill, Ulani Hobbs and Francine Aroza explore future career options available to them ahead of the Western Victorian Careers Expo, which returns to the Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong on Tuesday. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Open invitation for community

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Studentsplanning for life after secondary school, or adults looking for a change of career, can meet with education providers, employment agencies, industry and everything in between at the Western Victorian Careers Expo on Tuesday.

Organiser David Crooks said he was expecting more than 2000 attendees for the expo’s 38th year, including students from 25 schools and other job seekers.

Mr Crooks said the expo was a free event and open to the community, addressing everything to do with employment, careers and opportunities.

“The expo is perceived a little bit as a school event, but it is important that career-changers, job seekers and parents of students know they are more than welcome to attend,” he said.

Mr Crooks said low levels of unemployment across the region had encouraged businesses to make strides to recruit from schools.

“Certainly all the major industries are present,” he said.

“We have trade and engineering, strong support from health care and local shires –because we draw from more than 12 local government areas.”

Mr Crooks said the expo also included a jobs market section, where organisations could post situations vacant for people to explore.

He said a Skillinvest drop-in centre would cater for people wanting to register interest for vacancies in apprenticeships and traineeships across the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians.

Mr Crooks said the event, at Longerenong, near Horsham, was one of the largest careers expos in regional Victoria, with schools travelling from as far as Swan Hill, Casterton and Lake Bolac to attend.

“There are 75 exhibitors this year, including the Tertiary Information Session Roadshow incorporating about 15 higher education and tertiary education organisations, which takes us to more than 90 information points,” he said.

Mr Crooks said major sponsor Federation University would bring back its try-atrade outdoor activities.

ACE Radio will broadcast live from the venue, with interviews and information on MIXX FM throughout the day.

Mr Crooks said there were multiple seminars running throughout the morning, from 10.15am until noon, where attendees could seek more information about a range of careers and topics.

VCE Vocational Major ‘exciting change’

Along-term leader of applied learning says the introduction of the VCE Vocational Major for 2023 has been an exciting and positive change.

Horsham’s St Brigid’s College careers and pathways co-ordinator Lesley Lannen said she had been a strong advocate of the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, VCAL, across her 16 years working in vocational training.

The VCE Vocational Major replaced the existing Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, VCAL, integrating it into the VCE framework as a two-year certificate. The major is aimed at students who are looking to pursue apprenticeships, traineeships and further education at the conclusion of their secondary school education.

“The structure of the VCE Vocational Major includes literacy, numeracy, personal development skills, work-related skills, and the completion of a VET Certificate II or III,” she said.

She said students could participate in structured, workplace learning leading to educational and training outcomes.

“In the past, it has resulted in students

achieving school-based apprenticeships, full-time apprenticeships and traineeships as well as moving on to further education, such as diplomas,” she said.

Mrs Lannen said the VCE Vocational Major was student-centred, allowing them to pursue their interests and goals.

“As students progress through the two years of the certificate, they build on knowledge and skills that will further strengthen their learning outcomes,” she said.

Mrs Lannen said there was a strong applied learning network in the Wimmera, with schools supporting each other through the introduction of the new certificate.

“The VCE Vocational Major continues to build on relationships between schools and external organisations such as Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN and Skillinvest,” she said.

“As a community of practice leader for the implementation of the VCE Vocational Major, I have been able to work with several schools in south-west Wimmera and witness their dedication to developing programs that are student directed.”

EAST GRAMPIANS HEALTH SERVICE

Improving the health of our community

East Grampians Health Service values a learning culture, we strive to continually learn and develop through education, training, mentoring and by teaching others. Meet members of the East Grampians Health Service team at the Wimmera Careers Expo, to learn more about the exciting and diverse careers a health service can o er!

COMING TOGETHER: Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network’s David Crooks is organising this year’s Western Victorian Careers Expo at Wimmera Events Centre, at Longerenong.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Free travel to expo

Jobseekers and career changers can visit the Western Victorian Careers Expo at Longerenong on Tuesday via a free bus service. Expo organiser David Crooks said sponsorship from Jobs Victoria would fund the service, taking people to the Wimmera Events Centre, near Horsham, where the expo is held.

He said people wanting to take the bus would need to be at the YMCA carpark in Hamilton Street, Horsham, prior to the 10am departure. The service includes a return run at 12.30pm.

Mr Crooks said reasons to visit the event included job opportunities, training options, apprenticeship information and the chance to meet employers.

People wanting to use the bus service can register by calling 0419 978 702 or emailing info@wimmeracareerexpo.com

SUPPORT: Lesley Lannen, careers and pathways co-ordinator at Horsham’s St Brigid’s College, says the VCE Vocational Major is a great option. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Diesel Technicians – Qualified & Apprenticeships

Right now at William Adams Cat, we have career opportunities for qualified Diesel Technicians, as well as Apprenticeships.

If you are a qualified Diesel Technician/Mechanic with experience working on Caterpillar gear, we want to hear from you! We can offer

•

• Relocation assistance up to $5000 for eligible candidates

If you are just finishing school, or seeking a change, a Diesel Technician Apprenticeship will set you up for a lifelong career.

Completing your apprenticeship with William Adams means not only will you work with some of the best trades people in the business… YOU will also receive:

• A nationally accredited training qualification, paid for by William Adams

• A subsidised toolkit worth over $6000

• A Caterpillar passport which allows you to work for any Cat dealer around the world

• A full uniform including personal protective equipment (PPE)

•Above award wages and opportunities to earn more with reasonable overtime

Don’t settle for any job, THINK BIG and join the William Adams Cat team.

To apply, visit our website: williamadams.com.au/careers, or call our Recruitment team on 03 9566 0700 with any questions.

Even better, drop into our Horsham branch or visit us at the Western Victorian Careers Expo at Wimmera Events Centre, Longerenong on Tuesday 21st June.

Types of Organisational Roles

2023

20th

Employment Consultant - Stawell

GCH Careers - you

part of your community - be someone making a difference for people in your community.

Expo promoting life-long learning

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

TheWestern Victorian Careers Expo allows jobseekers and people looking for a career change to assess their options.

Federation TAFE Wimmera campus manager skills plan delivery Vanessa O’Loughlin said a push to attract people looking for a career change aligned with the institution’s promotion of life-long learning.

She said Federation TAFE would be visible at the event with a try-a-trade section, skills and jobs centre and Aboriginal education centre.

Wimmera campus director Christine Brown said representatives from Federation TAFE would be on-hand with information about options to study locally.

“If anybody is looking to re-enter the workforce, or they have qualifications that might be outdated, come and have a talk to us,” she said.

“We have people you can seek career advice from, and find out where the in-demand jobs are.”

Mrs Brown said people interested in courses that might be offered ‘at night’ were encouraged to express their interest, because that could lead to more

offerings if quantifiable demand existed among the community.

Mrs O’Loughlin said pressure to fill skills shortages in regional areas required more people to re-train and upskill.

“There is also a need to return to study,” she said.

“Whether that is because you want a career change for a higher income, for your personal values, achievements or what you are interested in.

“Health is a really great example.

“A few people are coming out of different careers and saying, ‘I actually really want to re-train as a nurse’.”

Skillinvest regional operations manager Jodi Bigmore said pursuing a traineeship or apprenticeship was an excellent option for people wanting to learn new skills or change their career.

“An apprenticeship or traineeship provides an opportunity to receive on-the-job training and gain practical experience in a specific field, while simultaneously working towards a recognised qualification,” she said.

“It’s an effective way to learn and grow professionally, while being paid to complete a qualification.”

General manager of operations Glen

Pohlner said Skillinvest offered a range of supports to jobseekers including mentoring, resume checks, application advice, mock interviews, registering for work and building relationships with employers.

Longerenong College head of campus Avril Hogan said the college welcomed mature-aged students wanting to gain qualifications.

She said various short courses, a diploma of applied agronomy and certificate IV in wool classing were popular with people returning to study or seeking new skills.

Bringing down barriers for new apprentices Dr Grenfell special guest

Twoworkers from diverse backgrounds and age demographics are pursuing new qualifications at a Horsham hospitality and entertainment venue as part of their career journeys.

Teresita Stokes, 73, is beginning an apprenticeship in commercial cookery at Horsham RSL and Ehklo Soe, 18, is undertaking a certificate III hospitality traineeship.

Horsham RSL administration officer Catherine Sellens said she was glad both apprentices were willing to accept offers for further training.

“Ehklo Soe has come from a refugee background. He has been working with us as a casual staff member since he was 16 or 17,” she said.

“He speaks Karen at home. To want to take that next step in hospitality is great.”

Mrs Sellens said staff had made a concerted effort to support and train Ehklo Soe, who is learning English. She said some of the staff had to learn to speak more slowly, and he had been given the nickname ‘Echo’.

Mrs Sellens said Mrs Stokes had worked in kitchens for a long time before taking up the three-year apprenticeship.

“She came in looking for kitchen work last year and she has worked as a casual kitchen hand,” she said.

“Chefs at the moment are very hard to find, to keep the kitchen running, so we thought, ‘why not offer her the skills’.”

Mrs Sellens said the commercial cookery apprentice had come from a Filipino background and has learned skills that allow her to work in the

RSL kitchen as an apprentice chef.

Mrs Sellens said the RSL covered the cost of both of the courses and aimed to guarantee them work as they upskilled and furthered their careers.

Mrs Sellens said they were both signed up through apprenticeship centre MAS National and would

commence their further training on July 3.

Mrs Sellens said registered training organisations visiting apprentices at their place of employment benefited regional workers.

“It is a little bit hard in the Wimmera, with hospitality training, so it’s great a lot of RTOs are coming into

businesses. We have one apprentice chef who travels to Mildura for trade school.”

Mrs Sellens said visiting registered training organisations benefited learners who might be unable to drive to a training provider or lacked the confidence to attend.

DrRob Grenfell, chief strategy and regions officer at Grampians Health, is the keynote speaker at the 2023 Western Victorian Careers Expo. Organiser David Crooks said Dr Grenfell was chosen in line with this year’s theme for the event, health.

Previous years have focused on sport and mental health.

“Each year we try to have a theme and that’s health this time around,” Mr Crooks said.

“Every health group across the region has a massive amount of vacancies and the ultimate goal of the expo is for businesses to attract employees.”

Mr Crooks said Dr Grenfell, who has lived in the Grampians region for much of his life, would speak about careers in regional health.

Dr Grenfell grew up in Horsham and ran a general practice in Natimuk for 13 years.

He was appointed health and biosecurity director at CSIRO in 2016 and was overseeing a team at one of the country’s most secure scientific laboratories – the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Lab in Geelong – in the global fight to stop the spread of COVID-19.

He was integral to Grampians Heath’s COVID response regionally as a public health physician specialist in the Grampians Public Health Unit in 2021 and officially joined Grampians Health as chief strategy and regions officer in May 2022.

Mr Crooks said Australian Defence Force representatives would also present about recruitment opportunities.

OPTIONS: Teresita Stokes, 73, is completing an apprenticeship in commercial cookery and Ehklo Soe, 18, is completing a Certificate III hospitality traineeship at Horsham RSL. They are pictured with supervisor Catherine Sellens, centre.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Busine working be er

CURRENT VACANCIES

Health Care Workers, Home and Residential

Positions available in Warracknabeal, Hopetoun and Beulah. We welcome applications from those who hold a Certificate III in Home and Community Services, Aged Care, Disability or equivalent. We also invite applications from less qualified candidates that may not hold a certificate in home and community services.

Allied Health Assistant

Part time or Full time position available for a motivated team player wanting a career in Allied Health. In this role you will work closely with Allied Health professionals to support the range of services offered across the Community Health, Residential and Acute Care settings at Rural Northwest Health. Applications are welcomed by unqualified candidates as training will be provided.

Clinical Support Nurse

Full time position available for a passionate Clinical Support Nurse. In this role you will be responsible for providing ongoing clinical supervision, mentoring to Registered and Enrolled Nurses, including graduates and students of nursing, Allied Health and Medical students while on placement. Applications are welcomed from those with at least three years post graduate experience as a Registered Nurse with a passion for clinical education.

Nurse Unit Manager - Acute/Urgent Care

Full time position available for a highly skilled and dedicated Nurse Unit Manager. In this important role you will be responsible for the day to day operations and management of clinical care, and performance monitoring of the acute and urgent care team members. Applications are welcomed from those with a 3 year minimum experience in a similar role.

To go to our current vacancies scan this QR code or checkout our website www.latituderecruitment.com.au

CONTACT US: HORSHAM OFFICE 0421 006 353 www.latituderecruitment.com.au

Work At

Your job is important

The work of prison officers helps make the community safer for everyone.

Your outlook matters

✓ Meaningful work and the opportunity to make a difference

✓ Job security plus generous salary options

When - 28 th June 2023 at 6.00 – 7.30pm Hopkins Correctional Centre 156a Warrak Rd Ararat Register your interest by emailing us at workathopkins@justice.vic.gov.au

✓ Job security plus generous salary options

✓ Flexible work arrangements that help you find a work/life balance

✓

✓ Flexible work arrangements that help you find a work/life balance

✓ A supportive team that encourages training and development

Hopkins Correctional Centre recruitment Expo will provide an insight into what working in a prison is really like and will be conducted in the Visit Centre at Hopkins Correctional Centre.

Staff will be on hand to discuss a range of career opportunities available across the Prison site.

We need people who are passionate about the job, enjoy their work and are motivated to serve the community

Your experience counts

All life experience are highly valued in the prison officer role and every person has the potential to make a good prison officer.

Karen Bryant Director Bianca Rogers Admin Support

Cathie Ferguson Recruitment Consultant Mt Gambier

Jade Gartside Recruitment Consultant Horsham

The Weekly Advertiser asked senior school students across the region about their career aspirations following high school. Below are their responses.

Careers with Smallaire

Smallaire is holding an interactive site at the Western Victoria Careers Expo where you can have a go at welding for yourself.

I’d

Get hands on experience with the help of a professional team that works with clients across Australia and oversees, including the United States, Russia, Holland, South Africa and more

“I’m a final year apprentice for metal fabrication with Smallaire. Smallaire offers a great environment with a nice wide variety of work to do everyday... you learn a lot of different skills. By the time you get to tradeschool, Smallaire have already taught you a lot of the skills you need to know, so school is a breeze.”

He is now Qualified and is an OH&S Officer and Metal Fabricator Supervisor

I would like to become an architect. I like how it combines mathematics and design, and I would feel like I am contributing something to the growth of our country.

I want to go into graphic design, industrial communications, probably more in TV and cartoons or designs for posters, billboards and advertising.

Grant Dumesny was an awardwinning apprentice of the year in 2014. He left after his apprenticeship to try other elds of welding and now has returned to Smallaire as he enjoys working for us so much.

Jock Baker, left, has worked for Smallaire for 29 years. He began worked in the factory, became a supervisor, completed his metal fab apprenticeship with us as an adult, and has since become the general manager of Smallaire. He is also a shareholder.

Smallaire lets you gain optimum experience and allows staff to grow. We offer mature-age and school-based apprenticeships.

Josh Leith

Winner of Manufacturing & Innovation Award

Reinhard Vix Nhill College

Something to do with nutrition, particularly dietitian.

Scott Forbes Nhill College Civil engineer outside Australia.

Gretta Arnel St Brigid’s College

Something with sports science such as psychology or occupational therapy to deal with people’s well-being.

Maddie Carracher St Brigid’s College

Hugo Hopper Horsham College

like to attend university at ACU in Brisbane to study nursing paramedicine.

Taniesha Williams Nhill College

Mayah Crouch Nhill College

I’m going to become a registered nurse but eventually I’m going to join the police force and become a homicide detective.

Tamarra Killackey Nhill College Screenwriting, something to do with film.

Tuesday, June 20

Wimmera Events Centre,

HORSHAM: Metal Fabricator

Machinery Sales

BORDERTOWN: Parts Interpreter

BIRCHIP: General Duties

Parts Interpreter

ALL LOCATIONS: Diesel Mechanic

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

It is often thought there is a lack of employment opportunities in regional Victoria.

However, Wimmera Southern Mallee Development chief executive Chris Sounness said there was actually a wide array of jobs vacant in the Wimmera and southern Mallee.

“We’ve done some research throughout the past couple of years and have found there are a minimum of 2500 jobs available in the area,” he said.

Mr Sounness said employment opportunities ranged from fast food service through to manufacturing and business management.

He said these opportunities were made more attractive because of a positive workplace culture and community feel of working in the region.

“That’s the great thing about living in a rural or regional community –you know you are making a meaningful difference,” he said.

Mr Sounness said working in the region allowed people to balance lifestyle choices and career opportunities in a way that might not be possible in larger cities.

“I think people in the Wimmera and southern Mallee really appreciate the region – you can get ahead, have a family and a career,” he said.

Mr Sounness said developments in agriculture during the next five to 10 years would mean more jobs for the region.

He said the agriculture sector was-

not limited to physical work, with advancements in tractors and satellite technology diversifying the range of careers in the sector.

He said renewable energy would be another boon for regional jobs, as seen with the Murra Wurra Wind Farm, as well as the Avonbank Mineral Sands project, which would provide even more jobs if it gains approval to proceed.

Mr Sounness said these key sectors would lead to a whole range of benefits for the area.

“I see growth across the region,” he said.

Research from the Regional Australia Institute showed that job advertisements in regional areas grew three times faster than in metropolitan Australia in late 2022.

Chief executive Liz Richie said the organisation’s latest report, Regional Jobs 2022: The Big Skills Challenge, identified gaps in the regional workforce.

“This report shines a light on the unprecedented challenge playing out in regional Australia, as labour supply struggles to keep up with demand,” she said.

Ms Ritchie said the report found

demand for workers in regional areas hit record levels in 2022, especially in the health sector.

“Medical practitioner and nurse vacancies in regions represented almost half of the total national vacancies for this occupation grouping, despite regional Australia representing only one third of the population,” she said.

“Job vacancy growth year-on-year shows that the regions are falling further and further behind in trying to secure staff.

“Without intervention, the gap potentially will widen.”

I am planning on studying mechatronics engineering and becoming a person who works in robotics. I am going to go to Swinburne University and do a Bachelor of Engineering, possibly a double degree. I haven’t decided yet.

At this stage after I finish school I would like to go to university in Adelaide and become something in the law-criminology area. I’m also interested in business and architecture and would love to own my own business one day.

AVAILABLE: Wimmera Southern Mallee Development chief executive Chris Sounness says there are about 2500 jobs available in the region.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Callahan Elliott Nhill College

Edie Mason Horsham College

Exhibitor List

PLEASE NOTE THE ROOM NUMBER/FEATURE ROOM. REFER TO SITE MAP ON PAGE 2. *Seminars subject to change

LONGY TOURS!

Leaving on the hour every hour from 10.30am!

Meet at the Events Centre Office.

Longerenong College is one of Australia’s leading tertiary institutions specialising in agriculture. Experience living onsite, the data farm and even have selfies in the animal nursery!

Seminar Schedule

Dr Robert Grenfell, Grampians

Exhibitor Site Map

INDUSTRIAL SPRAY

O'Connors

New classrooms opening doors

BY SEAN O’CONNELL

Tertiary education options in the Wimmera are growing, with opportunities for education and training in different fields on the rise.

Federation TAFE Wimmera campus director Christine Brown said the organisation was increasing opportunities for higher education in the region via a new learning program called Connected Classrooms.

Mrs Brown said classrooms would be set up with cameras and microphones for students to participate in a digital classroom environment, as part of the program.

“Getting Connected Classrooms on campus gives us a space for students to access teachers and tutors at different locations,” she said.

“They might be in Gippsland, Ballarat or Mt Helen.

“We are looking at having two Con-

nected Classrooms operating in the next few months. There will be a smaller one first and then a bigger project, hopefully by the end of the year.”

Mrs Brown said the interactive classrooms would allow students in the region to access course offerings that would not have been available at the Wimmera campus previously.

“You can only run viable group sizes, of about 15 or so people, and you might only have four students who want to be able to access that particular specialisation in the regions,” she said.

Mrs Brown said the initiative allowed Wimmera-based students to access many of the higher education programs they would have had to leave the area for previously.

“The Bachelor of Nursing will be a pathway opportunity for our current diploma of nursing students who want to go on to further study,” she said.

Federation TAFE manager skills plan

delivery Vanessa O’Loughlin said the program would make university more accessible to people wanting, or needing, to study locally.

“I think, too, when you are looking at Connected Classrooms, it helps students who would normally have to pay for rent, food and travel in Ballarat or Melbourne,” she said.

“Lots of people have families, farms or children at school who are returning to study as mature-age students.”

Mrs Brown said expanding and maintaining tertiary education programs was crucial to helping people in regional areas.

“That’s why we are having more programs online or blended delivery and having Connected Classrooms,” she said.

“We do know some of our trainees travel over an hour, sometimes close to two hours, to attend a particular program.”

Mrs Brown said she hoped in the fu-

ture that Connected Classrooms would mean students might only need to travel for certain classes, such as a lab or workshop, and complete the remainder of their course work remotely.

Skillinvest regional operations manager Jodi Bigmore said it was a common belief that people felt they needed to travel outside of the region to gain qualifications.

She said while some trade qualifications required leaving the region for periods of time, this was not always needed.

“In most cases, the training is conducted on-site, eliminating the need for extensive travel,” she said.

She said Skillinvest could help people gain qualifications through traineeships or apprenticeships while working in real-world environments.

“Through Skillinvest’s traineeship or apprenticeship programs, individuals can receive on-the-job training, valuable experience, and earn a qualifica-

tion — all while being paid,” she said. Longerenong College head of campus Avril Hogan said studying in regional areas could be as much about the broader experience as it was gaining a qualification.

She said Longerenong College had become a ‘destination’ for students from regional New South Wales, Queensland and for those already living in the Wimmera and Mallee.

She said the college had many offerings including full-time agriculture courses and more training for people already working, including in precision agriculture and the diploma of applied agronomy.

“If students are more interested in working, they can actually do a farm apprenticeship,” she said.

“That is two years working with a farmer. You study in block units, a week at a time for five weeks out of the year.”

Tapping into ‘what is out there’ Longerenong College tours

People who face additional barriers to study or training have the opportunity to learn what programs are available to them when they visit the 2023 Western Victorian Careers Expo.

Reconnect support officer Kim Boulton said she could help people across a ‘huge’ age range into study, from 17 to 64, as part of her work at Federation TAFE’s Wimmera campus.

“If it is identified that someone might need some extra support into an educational course or has some barriers, they refer that person to me as the Reconnect pathways officer,” she said.

Mrs Boulton said the program took a client-centred approach, finding out what people’s needs were and what suited them best.

“It is about identifying their goals when they are coming to Reconnect and helping them address the challenges they have,” she said.

“I’m helping build their confidence and supporting them while they are training and also helping them get into work. Some people are getting jobs while they are studying, which is great.”

Mrs Boulton said the expo was the perfect opportunity for adult learners, in particular, to see whether Reconnect was a program that could help them get into training.

“It could be someone who has been a carer in the family, whether that’s children, parents or siblings, and maybe they are looking to train to get work into the future,” she said.

“It could be somebody who has been looking after children and the children have gone off to school and they are looking to train for work as well.”

Mrs Boulton said people might be eligible for the program across a wide range of scenarios,. She said there were some exemptions and people could contact her to discuss their options.

“It’s just tapping into what is out there. If I can’t help a client, there is always the skills and jobs centre on campus as well to help them with what they may need,” she said. “That might be updating their resume or helping look for work. If I can’t help them with that intensive support, there is another spot they can go.”

Abus from the 2023 Western Victorian Careers Expo will be available to people wanting to tour Longerenong College.

Visitors to the event can board the hourly bus to the college, or organise a tour at a later date.

Longerenong College head of campus Avril Hogan said the tours would enable people to see the wide range of offerings at the college.

“The college is a 1100-hectare farm with all kinds of different broadacre farming, 1000 sheep and 40 cows,” she said. “We take them through the DATA farm where we have the precision agriculture technology.”

Ms Hogan said people would also visit the hall where classes were held along with the vehicle training centre, shearing shed and sheep yard.

Other areas including working paddocks and a farm machinery area, where machinery such as a Case Magnum tractor are kept, will be on display.

She said there were 107 dorm rooms on site with the college in the process of constructing three seven-bedroom facilities, three four-bedroom facilities and a conference room, due to open soon.

HELP ON HAND: Federation TAFE’s Reconnect support officer Kim Boulton is helping people get into training at the Wimmera campus.

Site encourages ‘hands on’

Students

and jobseekers will have an opportunity to win a prize while trying their hand at several trades at Tuesday’s Western Victorian Careers Expo.

Laser Plumbing and Electrical Horsham staff have been busy putting together a three-step competition for the Longerenong event, comprising electrical, plumbing and HVAC – Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning – tasks.

Expo-goers can attempt the competition throughout the day, with the fastest male and female entrants to take home a prize.

Laser Horsham maintenance manager Corey Tucker said the competition provided participants with an opportunity to see some of the trades’ basic tasks, first-hand.

“We also hope it will encourage students and jobseekers to come over to our site and have a chat with the guys about what we do, the various trade options we offer and the career pathways available to them,” he said.

“Our business employs about 70 staff in a wide range of roles, with jobs ranging from multi-million-dollar major projects through to oneperson jobs. We work throughout the Wimmera and southern Mallee, so there is a huge variety of tasks and workplaces.

“We have a strong focus on staff training and development and are constantly striving to better our business and our workforce.”

Mr Tucker said the careers expo

was a great event and enabled students to explore various career options and learn about different industries.

“They can interact directly with employers from a wide range of fields, ask questions and gather information about job roles, qualifications and advancement opportunities,” he said. “It helps students make more informed decisions about their career paths.”

Mr Tucker said Laser Horsham had a great relationship with the region’s secondary schools and traditionally sourced its apprentices with help from school careers advisors.

“We are a long-term supporter of Structured Workplace Learning, which enables students to integrate on-the-job experience with their studies,” he said.

“We also offer work experience placements, with many students go-

ing on to complete apprenticeships with us.

“There are so many benefits, such as skill development and career pathways, which we are happy to talk about and answer any questions.

“Parents whose children are interested in plumbing, electrical or HVAC trades can also give us a call for more information.”

Laser Plumbing and Electrical is at site 97 in the Try-A-Trade section.

St

My career aspirations are to be a primary school teacher or a kindergarten teacher. This stems from my deep commitment to supporting and helping people. I believe education is a powerful tool that can positively influence young people’s lives and set them on a path of success and personal growth.

I would like to attend university to study education and psychology. Career-wise, I would like to work in a primary school environment as a classroom teacher, and maybe someday in some sort of principal position, or working in student wellbeing.

The CitiPower and Powercor Apprenticeship Program

Imagine feeling great about coming to work every day

Applications for the CitiPower | Powercor 2024 apprentice program will open shortly.

People of all ages, genders, abilities and LGBTIQ+ identities are encouraged to apply.

Ap prentice roles are offered across 14 regional and metropolitan locations around the state, for: lineworkers, underground cable jointers and substation electricians.

B e nefits of working with us

• Excellent future career opportunities

• Inclusive team

• Competitive salary and generous benefits

• A mentor to support your career journey

• Structured training and development

• Paid TAFE, tuition fees, all uniforms and tools provided

To f ind out more, speak with us at the Western Victorian Careers Expo at booth 92 or visit our careers page at https://www.powercor.com.au/careers/

Scan the QR code to hear Neil Roberts, Technical Training Manager share valuable application tips and information.

CitiPower | Powercor

A g reat place to work

We a re Australia’s best urban and rural distribution networks, providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity supplies to over a million households and businesses.

TRY A TRADE: Laser Plumbing and Electrical Horsham electrician Jack Brennan sets up a hands-on competition for the Western Victorian Careers Expo, with prizes up for grabs for the fastest accurate participants.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Grady McCourt

Brigid’s College

Madison Smith Horsham College

Pathway to jobs in mining

Wimmera-based

WIM Resource, an Australian leader in mineral sands development, is a proud major sponsor of the 2023 Western Victorian Careers Expo.

WIM Resource officials will attend the expo again this year and host an interactive stand showcasing the mineral sands industry.

They will also host a key presentation discussing careers in mining and future job opportunities working with WIM Resource at the proposed Avonbank project at Dooen, near Horsham.

WIM Resource stakeholder and community liaison officer Murray Wilson said the expo would include an ‘exciting’ new feature this year.

“In a first for the expo, WIM Resource will be displaying, on-site, a unique mini spiral separator machine which models exactly how, using water and gravity, minerals sands are able to be efficiently and effectively separated as part of the mining process,” he said.

“WIM Resource, in a collaboration with Bestech Australia, will also be displaying the internationally renowned Simlog civil operations simulator from Bestech Australia as part of an exciting concept to introduce new career choices within the mining industry.

“The innovative hands-on simulator will be able to take students from the classroom to the virtual work site as they explore their aptitude, de-

velop real skills and learn safe work habits operating heavy earthmoving machinery.”

Mr Wilson said the simulator would provide unique insights for people considering a career in mining.

“The high-tech interactive simulator will expose users to possible future careers operating a range of mining equipment, which could encourage participants to set themselves on a

path to jobs in the mining industry,” he said.

“Our simulator at the careers expo will provide a learning environment that encourages skills exploration and will foster a new approach towards learning and a better appreciation and understanding of the type of local jobs that WIM Resource could be offering in the near future as part of our proposed Avonbank project.”

Careers in the media

Themedia industry offers a broad range of exciting career opportunities – and ACE Radio will again offer people the chance to learn more when they attend next week’s careers expo.

Announcers Kaycee Bould and Kayla Wilson will broadcast live, from the careers expo site, in an extended ‘Old School Lunchbox’ program on MIXX FM, from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday.

ACE Radio representatives will also be on hand to share their experiences of working in radio and newspaper – and in roles such as news and journalism, voice overs and on-air, digital content, copy writing, promotions and sales, traffic, graphic design and production.

The ACE Radio team in Horsham produces The Weekly Advertiser newspaper and is home to radio stations, MIXX FM and 3WM.

ACE Radio Horsham content director Adam Roche said broadcasting from the careers expo was a highlight for the team and attendees alike.

Mr Wilson encouraged people to visit the WIM Resource stand.

“It will be a fun and engaging exhibit, with hands-on activities and interactive displays and a great chance to meet the team to learn about mineral sands mining and the planned Avonbank project north of Horsham,” he said.

“This is an incredible opportunity for attendees of the careers expo to come and discuss with ACE Radio careers in our industry,” he said.

The Weekly Advertiser editorial director Jessica Grimble said local journalism remained vital to local communities – and the unique nature of ACE Radio, working in various mediums, demonstrated the breadth of opportunities available to people wanting to pursue a media career.

HANDS ON: Students try out the internationally renowned Simlog civil operations simulator, from Bestech Australia, while visiting the WIM Resource stand at last year’s careers expo.

At Wades, we believe in empowering our team members to reach their full potential. We offer comprehensive training programs and continuous professional development opportunities.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to expand your skill set, our family is here to support your growth every step of the way. Together, we’ll nurture your talents and help you achieve greatness.

OPPORTUNITY: Students from across the region investigated career prospects at the 2022 Western Victorian Careers Expo. Pictured, clockwise from above: Liahna Spry learns about Army careers with her father corporal Aaron Stroobants; Charlotte Bicket, Donald, harvests a crop on Natimuk A and P Society’s virtual harvester with member Kane Sudholz; Charlie Eltringham, Federation University, shows Emmerson Lawes how to lay bricks; Emily Palmer, Kaniva, and Tessa Leach, Rainbow, check out a Forrest Fire Management truck; and Corey Longmuir, Horsham College, with Victoria Police Leading Senior Constable Clyde Lourensz.

Tuesday, June 20

Wimmera Events Centre,