Careers expo an inside job

More than 1000 people from around the South West came to Bunbury Catholic College last week for the annual South West Careers Expo.

Students and their families could meet representatives and receive information from various organisations and educational institutions covering trades, universities and less traditional pathways.

Careers Expo coordinator Catherine Griffin said the event was designed to cater for a broad variety of industries and was a great way to give regional students information.

"The kids don't have to travel and it's all in one place for them," Ms Griffin said.

"Bringing it here today just gives them at least a name or a card or a telephone number that they can go home, think about and then they've got someone to call."

Among seven organisations new to this year's event were Animal Science College, McDonald's Australia and the Australian Institute of Fitness.

AIF trainer Katy Palmer said personal training was a great way to start a career in the fitness industry.

It could also be used as a stepping stone to other fitness-related careers, she said.

"They can be qualified and work as a PT while they do further study like physiotherapy, so by the time they graduate, they have so much more experience."

Students and adults from the South West were encouraged to attend. "Anybody who is looking for training, looking for a job change or looking for something new and different, they're welcome to come," Ms Griffin said.

Next year, Ms Griffin hopes to further expand the selection with commercial cooking, hairdressing and nursing.

See more pictures from the South West Careers Expo in this Thursday's South Western Times