Tertiary to trades training opportunities, as well as careers in the region's leading businesses, will all be on show at the annual Canvas Tauranga Careers expo on Friday, August 12, and Saturday, August 13, at Trustpower Arena.

Hosted by Priority One and The Rotary Club of Tauranga, the expo has a comprehensive showcase of employment and training opportunities on offer under one roof.

This year, more than 60 exhibitors will present to students from the region's schools, and to adults considering upskilling or a change in careers.

Priority One's workforce and policy general manager Greg Simmonds says the expo is a fantastic opportunity for both students and their parents to engage with employers and training providers who can assist them with their career decisions.

'The expo is valuable in bringing together local and national training institutes alongside a range of the region's leading businesses to showcase employment pathways. For adults, there are also opportunities to explore a change in career, upskill and make vital connections with local employers,” says Greg.

The Rotary Club of Tauranga organiser, Sue Boyne, says the expo allows students and the public attending to get some clarity on their dream career.

'Many students who attend are not sure what they want to do when they leave school, which is not surprising as there are so many exciting and diverse career options out there. This expo provides an energising and informative platform for them to really solidify their thinking by getting to engage with industry sectors and understand if they have the right skills for a particular career.”

Exhibitors this year include Universities and vocational training providers from across New Zealand, as well as businesses and industries such as the NZ Defence Force, media and design, the Kiwifruit sector, building and construction, tourism, local and central government, engineering, law, agri-tech, health and beauty, māori business, fishing and infrastructure sectors.

Sue says the expo is about creating opportunities.

'In the past we have had students who have come along, chosen their training institute and, at the same time, been able to connect with a local business that results in them having the connections to secure summer internships and potential inroads to a full-time job at the end of their studies.”

Greg says Priority One sees the expo as a platform to showcase career pathways and the skills employers are looking for.

'Tauranga is growing quality jobs across a huge range of sectors. Canvas Careers Expo helps to profile work opportunities in the region and the training pathways to get there.

'We'd strongly encourage parents and whanau to attend with their kids to help them make the most of the opportunity to connect with such a large number of employers and training providers.”

The Canvas Careers Expo is free to attend and runs from 9am – 3pm on Friday, August 12, and Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Trustpower Arena Baypark.

For more information on the expo, career opportunities and resources go to www.canvascareers.co.nz