Event Helps Youth Plan Their Future While Supporting Ruapehu Economy

Helping Taumarunui youth obtain the future they want for themselves is the goal of the ‘Navigate Your Horizon – Plan for Your Future’ event being held at the Taumarunui Memorial Hall next Saturday (21 May 16).

The special one day only event is aimed at getting young people aged from 12 to 26 years to start thinking about what sort of life they want for themselves, the sort of community they want to live in, and what they need to do to make it happen.

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Youth Liaison Officer Samantha Arthur-Curtis said that the day is dedicated to helping Taumarunui youth think about and plan for their future.

“We are hoping to get across the old truism that ‘people don’t plan to fail – they fail to plan’,” she said.

“The event doesn’t just have an education and jobs focus but instead takes a ‘whole of life’ approach that covers everything from education, careers, volunteering, saving, travel, health, buying a home, starting a family through to retirement.”

“We know from talking with local youth there is a knowledge gap about where they can go to find out about what jobs and opportunities are available and the skills and qualifications they need to do them.”

“At ‘Navigate Your Horizon – Plan for Your Future’ all this information will be in one place in a fun and easily accessible way.”

“Youth will be able to walk around and talk with stall holders and take part in a career version of the classic ‘speed-dating’ game called ‘speed-career’.”

“Information boards will highlight jobs on offer in and around Taumarunui as well as information on local businesses, the types of jobs they can offer and what the job involves.”

“There will also be a career game show hosted by our very talented and funny MC’s, a boys’ hour, a girls’ hour, guest speakers along with free food and spot prizes given out throughout the day.”

Ms. Arthur-Curtis said that the Youth Council was hoping for a big turnout of local youth, their parents and caregivers and beat the attendance numbers at last year’s very successful ‘Raise Your Living Standards’ event which attracted over 350 people.

“Events such as this also play an important role in helping to grow and develop local businesses and the wider Ruapehu economy by helping to retain local talent through bridging the gap between school leavers and employers.”

“As much as young people want to know about what jobs and opportunities are available employers want to identify who is available in the local workforce or coming through from school.”

“Local businesses and organisations that cannot attend on the day are invited to put together material for the information boards.”

ENDS

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