Festival aims at careers for youths

OPEN INVITATION: Youth development co-ordinator Deborah Davidson is running an expo for Wairarapa youth that includes skateboarding, live music and sports competitions. The event will be held at Carrington Park in Carterton tomorrow. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Young people are being given the chance to get informed and win cash prizes at the Wai Fest Youth Expo in Carterton on Saturday.

The Southern Wairarapa Safer Community Council youth expo at Carrington Park will bring together sports, music and skateboarding as well as showcasing employment options for Wairarapa youth.

Organiser and youth development co-ordinator Deborah Davidson said as well being a fun day, it was a chance for young people to investigate careers in the region.

"The idea was to get agencies talking to youth and get them to be more interactive and adding activities that would get youth down here."

Activities on the day include a three-on-three basketball competition and a ki-o-rahi tournament.

Prizes of $100 will be awarded to the top teams.

Young skateboarders from the national Drop Deep team will also be on hand with skateboarding tips and demonstrations.

The team will be bringing an additional ramp and holding scooter and skateboarding competitions from 11am.

Sounds will be provided by DJ Main 1, aka Jermaine Kerehi.

Making the day entertaining and informative was important, Mrs Davidson said.

"I really didn't want to have your typical expo in a town hall ... I wanted to show youth that they are worth putting on something bigger and better than the norm.

"I don't think youth take away a lot of information from those expos."

The event was aimed at young people still in school and those who have left school but are unsure of their career path.

Nationally, 11.4 per cent of those aged 15 to 24 are not in employment, education or training.

Organisations such as CLM Health and Fitness and Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre are among those attending the expo.

A range of other groups including Wairarapa Youth Council, Family Planning, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and the Cancer Society will have stalls at the event.

Snacks, drinks and coffee will also be available.

The ki-o-rahi tournament begins at 10am and a hangi has been organised for noon.

Limited tickets for the hangi will be available on the day.

Those wishing to pre-purchase tickets should contact deborahd@swscc.org.nz