Expo opens eyes for career options

The possibility of a career outdoors drew Kendall Holt to the forestry industry stand at the Rotorua Careers Expo.

The 17-year-old Rotorua Lakes High School student, who recently moved to Rotorua from Auckland, said the forest appealed to him.

"I have outdoor interests, I'm interested to see how this town runs."

Today Kendall chatted with Richard Stringfellow, programme area lead for forest operations at Toi Ohomai.

Rotorua Lakes High School student Kendall Holt, 17, and Richard Stringfellow, from Toi Ohomai, at the Rotorua Career Expo. Photo/Ben Fraser

Mr Stringfellow said this year was the first time the industry had pulled together to create a stand. Businesses included PF Olsen, Timberlands, Interpine and Toi Ohomai.

"The forestry industry is looking to attract younger people to bring them on board. Here they can get a full overview of everything and ask about all aspects.

"We are trying to improve the image of the industry ... it's moved from a man with a chainsaw to technology, it's not all about hard manual labour."

Mr Stringfellow said the Waratah simulator at the stand drew people in.

"It simulates what happens out in the industry in a real machine."

The Rotorua Energy Events Centre hummed as students and locals went from stand to stand of business organisations and training institutions.

At the Animation College stand Sasha Rotherham, 21, said several prospective students had come to chat with her.

Sasha, in her third year at the college, said the younger people she had talked to were surprised at the possibilities available.

Year 12 Rotorua Lakes High School student Blair Monteith, 16, said he was interested in looking around the technology and animation-based industries.

"It's been helpful and very interesting to look at the job opportunities, it's given me more options."

Local Aimee Wolfgramm, 18, had come along to see "what was out there".

Having finished school last year, she was interested in hairdressing, food or youth services.

Rotorua Careers Expo chairwoman Sheryl Hewitson said the first day of the expo had gone "really well".

"I'm pleased with the linking of Rotorua industries with providers so people could see where the pathways lie."

Mrs Hewitson said 75 stands were at the expo, with one of the "new and interesting" stands this year looking at apiculture (beekeeping) apprenticeships.

Seminars were run throughout the day, with motivational speakers, CV skill sessions and information from industries around particular career pathways, she said.

While several schools would be attending over the two days, Mrs Hewitson said there had been more adults this year than before, with people looking to retrain or change career pathways.

The Careers Expo continues tomorrow from 9am to 2.30pm at the Energy Events Centre.