This statement might seem at odds with the current 18 per cent youth unemployment rate of the area, but a number of local businesses say it’s true.

Those businesses will be at the Shoalhaven Careers Expo on Friday, July 22 at the University of Wollongong’s Shoalhaven Campus attempting to bridge the apparent gap between youth and employment.

UOW Shoalhaven Campus head Robbie Collins said the campus was looking forward to hosting all kinds of businesses, year 10 students from local high schools as well as any interested family and friends, who were also welcome to attend.

“We’re trying to show year 10 students from local high schools the opportunities available for them and what they need to study in year 11 and 12 in order to get on with their career, and preferably in our local community,” she said.

“We’ve got high youth unemployment and it’s hard for kids in terms of aspiration when all they are hearing is there aren’t jobs - business people know there are jobs and a lot of the time they can’t find somebody they want for their job.

“Businesses getting involved [in the expo] get a chance to gear up the kids for what they can do post-year 12. Students don’t necessarily know what questions they need to ask. Business involved have to think of strategies to get the kids to understand what they are doing.”

Chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers NowChem have a strong history in the Shoalhaven and managing director John Lamont has chosen to send a contingent of his company’s young employees along to show students study and gainful employment in the Shoalhaven is possible.

Some of the career and study paths of Mr Lamont’s team include a factory worker studying management, a business administration apprentice, a marketing co-ordinator, a trainee chemist and a quality control chemist.

“We want to let everybody know there’s a lot of varied careers here at NowChem,” Mr Lamont said.

“Parts of our staff got to TAFE or university, but the most important thing is the diversity – there are jobs in the laboratory, office, accounting, warehouse – there’s a great variety of opportunities for all of our young people to get jobs in the Shoalhaven. 

“I’d recommend other businesses be highly involved to let our youth know there are great opportunities in everybody’s business to keep youth employed in the Shoalhaven.”

Michael Nunn from Nowra Truck and Tractor said this would be the first time the business had attended the careers expo.

“We’ve found it difficult to attract young people into our business and this expo give us a great chance to show what our 48 staff do,” he said. “It’s a lot more than selling tractors; its looking after farmers, working on farm management, helping people decide on what tractor to buy – we employ technicians, salesmen, financial accountants, stock controllers.” 

Disability service Greenacres, on the other hand, has been involved in the careers expo for many years.

Regional co-ordinator for the Shoalhaven, Hayley Byrne said they loved getting the service out there to promote what they do.

“It’s great for our business, we network with other businesses, it can help us find positions for our current job seekers and we learn about other businesses in the area,” she said.

The Shoahaven Careers Expo caters to over 1000 students from Shoalhaven secondary and special schools.

Businesses involved have the opportunity to help students learn about the different jobs involved in a company, help students make informed career choices, let students know about future work and study options and encourage training to suit their needs.

For more information contact Robbie Collins on 0411 547 832 or email careersexpo-shoalhaven@uow.edu.au.