Job options explored at expo

Industry training adviser Ian Clarke (right), from the New Zealand Motor Industry Training Organisation, talks to Liam Whitmore (12), of Waiwera South School, about the skills he will need for a career in the motor industry, at the Clutha Careers Expo in Balclutha yesterday. Photo by Rachel Taylor.

This is the second year the event has been held and organisers were pleased with the support it received from the public.

Last year, only 135 people attended.

Enterprise Clutha training and tourism development manager Julie Gill said the expo had been "absolutely brilliant", with "way over 400 people" coming to talk to the exhibitors, who had been busy all day.

Mrs Gill said 36 exhibitors took part, and the most popular displays were those by the armed forces, the police and Clutha Vets.

Several exhibitors commented on the number of quality one-on-one discussions they were able to have with people interested in their line of work, she said.

Mrs Gill said she was "over the moon" at the range of ages the event attracted, with people from schools from as far as Dunedin, Roxburgh and the Catlins travelling to Balclutha for the day.

"There were children aged from 7 upwards . . . and lots of adults.

There were people thinking about career changes, young adults and some I would describe as pensioner-aged," she said.

"All the exhibitors feel this has been really worthwhile."