Shortcut to job options

WITH the current skills shortage, finding good staff can almost be considered a Herculean effort.

Mechanical systems maintainer Michael Ford at work at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. DBCT will join many Mackay region businesses showcasing career opportunities at a careers expo at the MECC on August 10. Picture: Contributed

WITH the current skills shortage, finding good staff can almost be considered a herculean effort.

Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) is one of many Mackay region businesses taking the proverbial bull by the horns by showcasing career opportunities they can offer at the Daily Mercury Mackay and District Careers Expo.

Students, parents, adult learners and job seekers are invited to attend the event, which will be hosted by JADE Corporate and held at the MECC on August 10.

DBCT human resources officer Karen Beckham said the expo was a great way to educate young job seekers or potential applicants on what positions were available at the site.

“It's about developing tomorrow's tradespeople,” she said.

DBCT human resources manager Rick D'Amato said the company took on four to six apprentices each year and would use the expo to distribute information about its mechanical and electrical apprenticeships.

Mr D'Amato said DBCT had been involved in careers expos for a few years and a lot of it involved demystifying what actually was done on site.

“It's also a great opportunity to network with other integral companies and share some of our resource issues and concerns and try and come up with solutions,” he said.

DBCT will be one of 52 businesses exhibiting at the careers expo, a number JADE Corporate business services manager and expo co-ordinator Rebecca Enright anticipates will increase.

Ms Enright said about 80% of the exhibitors would be Mackay region-based businesses.

The expo showcases interactive and informative exhibitor displays from universities, training organisations, recruitment specialists and more.

Last year it drew a crowd of about 2000 and Ms Enright said this year she was expecting more than 3000 to attend.

“It's a community event, it's free and we have a commitment to lifelong learning,” she said. “So we encourage anybody interested in networking with local businesses (to attend).”

FREE EXPO

The Mackay and District Careers Expo will take place on Wednesday, August 10 at Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

Students, parents, adult learners and job seekers can browse the stalls from 1pm to 6pm

The event is free

For more information or to become an exhibitor contact Rebecca Enright on 4957 9506

Originally published as Shortcut to job options