Friday 17 April 2015

Otago Careers Festival Programme Launched

The Otago Careers Festival has launched its 2015 programme of events this week. Over 70 career related events are happening throughout Otago during the month of May as the seventh annual Otago Careers Festival takes place.

Festival events cover a wide range of topics and include workshops, seminars, open days and career expos. The 2015 theme ‘Connecting to a productive future’ is reflected in numerous events and incorporates ideas around highlighting pathways to regionally important industries. It also includes the notion of skill development and job seeking.

“The Festival concept has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2008. This year’s line-up will deliver a fantastic range of events, including a very strong representation from a variety of industries. Of particular interest is the diverse employers involved with the Students in Industry series taking place in Dunedin and targeted at secondary school students. The Future of Work seminar and the Be Your Own Boss Expo, both held at the University of Otago. The Agriculture and Wine events in Central Otago and the Employment and Disability Hui in Dunedin. Special mention must also be made to the Otago Corrections Facility for their two events as part of the programme, one which invites employers to the facility to gain an insight into the quality training delivered. The public of Otago should be prepared to be inspired and take the opportunity to explore what is on offer.” says Festival Chairman, Pete McBeth.

The Festival raises awareness of the career opportunities and skill needs of Otago. It also emphasises the value of workforce development to Otago employers and help individuals gain a wider understanding of what a ‘career’ actually is.

The Otago Careers Festival takes an ‘any age / any stage’ approach and is not just targeted at secondary school students and school leavers. Events focus on a wide range of groups including people in work, job seekers, employers, parents, those returning to the workforce and migrants. All events during the Festival are free to attend.

Festival Co-ordinator, Victoria Muir, urges people to see the full calendar of events on the Festival website www.otagocareersfestival.co.nz as a number of events require registrations. Printed copies of the Festival programme are also available at all Public Libraries throughout Otago.

FESTIVAL BACKGROUND

The Otago Careers Festival is being produced by a Festival Steering Group in partnership with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs. The Festival Steering Group is made up of industry organisations, government agencies, business associations, secondary schools, tertiary training institutions, business support forms, career advisors, local authorities and others interested in career development in and for Otago. The Festival’s major funders are the Otago Community Trust and Careers NZ.

ENDS

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