My Future Fest was a Major Success for all involved!

 

Whether you wanted to be a doctor or an engineer, a pilot, sound technician or a social worker, young people who attended My Future Fest in Grafton on Tuesday 8 August were treated to a smorgasbord of choice and shown a range of different pathways available to them.

My Future Fest was the brainchild of local employment and training provider, Enterprise & Training Company (ETC) who joined forces with Clarence Valley Council, TAFE NSW – Grafton Campus and Clarence Youth Action group to host the event.

ETC spokesperson, CEO Jenny Barnett, said that organisers had hailed My Future Fest a huge success.

“We are absolutely thrilled with how the event unfolded. We wanted to show local Clarence Valley youth the range of positive pathways available to them and I believe we achieved that,” Mrs Barnett said.

“The response from local training, education establishments and employers has been simply tremendous, and the students really embraced the idea – we couldn’t be happier!”

The festival program featured a range of interactive activities, practical workshops, Q&A’s with exhibitors, guest speaker presentations, live music and performances which attracted the participation of hundreds of students and young people.

Close to 50 stall holders took part, providing insight into the training, education and employment options available in Northern NSW.  Groups included Southern Cross and Bond Universities, TAFE, recruitment agencies, training providers, government departments, along with a range of employers including the Defence Force, Police and Fire Brigade, Costa Berries, Serco, and construction companies such as Fulton & Hogan and John Holland.

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Students were full of praise for the event and had this to say:

 

“I was actually surprised at the range of different options here”

 

“Great to access so much information in one place on what is out there”

 

“I’m exploring different pathways – so great to see all the opportunities we have”

 

“I have come to look at what courses might be available for me, help me expand my knowledge”

 

“It’s really significant being here today – there are so many options open to us”

 

“I wanted to find out about different pathways – everyone has been so helpful”

 

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Highlights of My Future Fest which proved popular included:

• Fashion Parades illustrating presentation pitfalls when attending an interview
• Resume Stations where students assessed their strengths and learned resume writing tips
• Interview Stations and the chance to practice with real life employers
• Construction zone featuring job and training opportunities from building to road making
• Mind Blank workshops to build mental resilience and good health practices
• Hospitality demonstrations including information on upcoming courses
• Job board and information on trades, traineeships and apprenticeships
• Creative and digital industries including film, music and sound engineering.

Special acknowledgements were also made to TAFE for providing the venue and to G J Gardener Homes Clarence Valley for their contribution to the lunch on the day.

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Further reading:

Photographs of the event: https://www.facebook.com/myfuturefest/

External media coverage:

http://www.nbnnews.com.au/2017/08/08/graftons-first-interactive-careers-expo/

https://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/future-fest-an-expo-for-options/3210248/

Event details: http://www.etcltd.com.au/my-future-fest/