General News
27 October, 2024
First Orana Youth Forum
Increasing numbers of young Australians are realising that old-style trades and on-the-job training allow them to get into the workforce earlier and to stay living locally.
To this end, schools throughout the golden west are being invited to become involved with an inaugural youth jobs event designed to build just such a regional workforce for the future. Regional Development Australia (Orana) recently launched their Orana Youth Forum to be held in Dubbo next month. The forum aims to match students from as far west as Bourke and Brewarrina, and everywhere in between, to employers in the region looking to drive their business with local workers.
The forum will focus on jobs and careers in demand for the region and connect young people throughout the Orana with business, industry leaders, universities, and training providers, RDA Orana chief executive officer, Justine Campbell, said. "The initiative was developed after speaking with business, industry, and government in the region about jobs for the future and how we could grow our own workforce," Ms. Campbell said.
“The forum will deliver a one-stop shop for employment and career needs, featuring a diverse range of industries and sectors that will provide an overview of different job prospects, educational programs, and vocational training options available in the region.”
The exhibition hall will feature employers looking to connect to local employees, with high-profile speakers in the main auditorium including former federal minister Fiona Nash, and Dubbo young citizen of the year, Molly Croft.
“The forum will feature an exhibition hall with 40 exhibitors, seminars with inspirational keynote speakers in the convention centre, an outdoor interactive space utilising the Dubbo Regional Council car park and Victoria Park,” Ms. Campbell said.
“We will have high school students visiting from across the region.” Ms. Campbell said expressions of interest were now open for exhibitors to take part in the exhibition hall.
“We are looking for businesses, training providers, employment services, tertiary institutions, government agencies, and youth support services to come on board and showcase their services to our region’s young people,” she said.
“Filling skills needs and building our future workforce is a priority for RDA Orana,” she concluded.
