Sergeant Lloyd Rakaupai from Defence Careers NZ speaks to a few interested locals.
Students, teachers, parents and people from all walks of life strolled around the Cambridge Community Careers Expo held at the local raceway on August 8, checking out a huge range of career options and information from over 40 different exhibitors.
A combined effort by both Cambridge High School and St Peter’s School, organisers said over 500 people came through the doors during the six-hour event held Wednesday afternoon, which aimed to show some of the many different career pathways available and showcase the education and training organisations that can help.
Sharonn Pirie from Futures NZ (left) found free lollipops were a great way to encourage students to come and chat.
“It’s great that both the schools have come together,” said Cambridge local Sharonn Pirie from Futures NZ, adding that the turnout was just fantastic. “I’ve been able to help young people who really have no idea what they want to do. It’s really rewarding to help them find their path.”
Sergeant Lloyd Rakaupai from Defence Careers NZ, representing the New Zealand navy, army, air force and reserves, said the event was a great opportunity to explain what they were all about. “We’re here to shine a light on potential careers in the military,” he said. “There’s been quite a lot of interest which is great.”
CHS students Rosie Hale, Eliana Slaney, Chris Denton and teacher Bruce Siriett at the event.
“I’m actually planning on going to uni in Australia, this is my parents’ last-ditch attempt to keep me in the country!” said Blake Lawton, a Cambridge High School student. “But it’s actually been quite interesting, it’s been very helpful with figuring out what you need to do for your chosen pathway.”
“It’s good having the different careers advisors in the one place,” added Chris Denton. “You get a good feel for all the different universities.”
“A lot of students can be unsure of what they want to do, so we’ve been able to give them a bit of advice on the options out there, and encourage them to find what they love based on their strengths,” said Ashleigh Porritt from Agoge.
Ashleigh Porritt from Agoge and Colin Malcolm of Independent Verification Services shared a site on the day.
“We just want to give people the chance to upskill and improve their chances of employment,” added Colin Malcolm of Independent Verification Services.
Cambridge High School had held a careers expo every year for many years, but this year was the first time that both the local high schools have joined forces to create a careers event for all members of the community, and by the sounds of it, it was a resounding success.
Over five hundred people turned out during the six-hour Cambridge Community Careers Expo.
