Jobshop aims to connect youth with work

THE region’s economic development agency is hoping to attract hundreds of young people to a new event designed to connect them to local job opportunities.

Activate Tairawhiti economic development project manager Kim Holland said it was hoped the agency’s “#thejobshop” initiative, which involves a one-off event being supported by an online job-search portal, would attract 25 employers and 300 youth, with the aim to fill at least 30 of an anticipated 70 vacancies.

“We’re looking for employers with full- or part-time job vacancies, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities suitable for young people. We will promote those opportunities on our purpose-built online portal.

“Employers will also promote them at the #thejobshop event and be geared up to conduct interviews.”

Ms Holland said there would be a two-week lead-in to the event to allow young people the chance to access to a range of workshops and online tools designed to improve presentation and interview skills, refine their CVs and improve their understanding of what employers were looking for in young staff.

“#thejobshop will connect employers with great-quality candidates and, even if they don’t come out of this particular process with a job, we will have a pool of young people ready for the next opportunity,” she said.

“It’s great for the employer and it’s great for our youth.”

The initiative is supported by the Todd Foundation, Eastland Community Trust and other local providers, is free for all involved and is scheduled for October 26 at the Farmers Air Showgrounds Event Centre.

Employers and job seekers can register at: www.tairawhitiyouth.live/the-job-shop