A special information session, aimed at helping parents and whānau of teens struggling to decide what to do when they leave school, runs today from 4-8pm at the Canvas Careers Expo, at Mercury Baypark Arena.

The session is designed for parents and teenagers to attend together to help in their decision-making.

More than 60 tertiary and training providers alongside key business representatives are in attendance at the region’s largest careers expo which runs today and tomorrow.

Priority One’s Instep manager, Vee de Koster, says this afternoon’s session is perfect for parents of teens who still don’t know what to do when they leave school.

“It can be so stressful when you have a teen in your house who can’t decide what is the right career or training path, or maybe they have an idea but need more information.

“Even if they are attending as part of a school trip today or tomorrow, this afternoon’s session is a great chance for parents and whānau to bring their teen back to the expo and for them to work out their future together.”

The Rotary Club of Tauranga organiser, Sue Boyne, says one of the key benefits of attending the expo is the connections teens can make with industry leaders from across the region.

“Teens can come along and talk directly with an actual staff member from a business. It allows them to get a real insight into what an average day or career looks like in that industry sector.

“Making a connection and getting a business card could open some doors for them in their future and make their steps into a career easier.”

Hosted by Priority One and The Rotary Club of Tauranga, the Canvas Careers Expo features an exciting mix of employers and training providers on site ready to talk about their work sector or tertiary training opportunity.

The Canvas Careers Expo gives people a chance to see what sort of career they would like to pursue.

Exhibitors this year include universities and vocational training providers from across New Zealand, as well as businesses and industries across the innovation sector, engineering, law, New Zealand Defence Force, Māori business, building and construction, the kiwifruit sector, health and beauty, tourism, fishing and infrastructure sectors.

“It’s the perfect environment to get informed, get inspired and make job and career decisions,” says Sue.

The expo is also about showcasing the diverse and exciting career opportunities right here in the Bay.

“Tauranga is New Zealand’s fastest growing region and with that brings more job opportunities and the need for people with skills to support that growth,” says Vee.

“The expo is a great place to get a feel for what’s on offer here and to understand the yet-to-be-discovered prospects available for job seekers.”

Free to attend, the Canvas Careers Expo runs from 9am-2pm and 4pm-8pm today (August 8) and 9am-2pm tomorrow.

Go to www.canvascareers.co.nz