Southland Jobs in Uniforms welcomed the public during its open day at Invercargill’s Army Hall, where members of the fire service, police, ambulance service and armed forces fielded questions about donning a uniform for a career.
The career day was open to high school pupils as well as the wider community, who toured the site throughout the day.
MSD regional commissioner Steph Voight said the event would also be rolled out in Gore today and Te Anau tomorrow.
"The expos are open to the whole family so even if you pop along because the kids love Paw Patrol, you never knew, you might spark an idea for yourself," she said.
Abdul Rehman brought his 4-year-old son Izhaan to see if any of the services could inspire some dreams for the future.
"He’s quite interested in becoming a firefighter, join the army or become a police officer."
"I said to my wife, we need to go for him. For him to meet the firefighters and police officers and that will inspire him more. It’s up to him, whatever he wants to be when he grows up, but it’s a good way for him to choose what he wants to do ... "
Invercargill constable and ethnic liaison officer Aston Lang said he and his colleagues fielded many questions from high school pupils who toured the event earlier in the day.
He hoped the visit would encourage some to join the force after leaving school, he said.
He particularly hoped people from Invercargill’s broader cultural groups would sign up to become a member of the police force.
He believed it was important the police force had an ethnically diverse force that more fully represented the communities where they worked.
"We’ve seen all sorts of ethnicities walk through that door. I’ve been really stoked to see some of our work paying off, but I’d be even happier if some would sign up."
It was important migrants to New Zealand understood they needed to secure their New Zealand residency before they could start the recruitment process.
He was looking forward to seeing the Invercargill police team develop into one more able to help the city’s diverse groups — particularly its migrants, he said.
By Toni McDonald
