Career Expo Planning Guide for Schools - Worklinks

1 1 Career Expo Planning Guide for Schools ..we may not see the future, but our students will and our job is to help them make something of it." Sir Ken Robinson Remember: Before starting on the journey to Planning an expo, embrace the untapped generosity of your community. The responsibility of undertaking such an endeavour can be shared throughout the community as a whole. From the supplying of bins, to free advertising, it is beneficial to think outside the box for resources to make the event a success. The community is often willing to support events, so ask for their support.

2 You will never know unless you ask. If you require further assistance or information regarding your Career Expo, please contact Worklinks Partnership Brokers on: Ipswich - t: 3812 9921 Logan - t: 3299 4798 Beaudesert - t: 5541 0548 Head Office - t: 3265 3447 What is a school Career Expo? This is an event whereby a school hosts representatives from business, industry and/or community to highlight some examples of what is currently available to their students beyond secondary school . school Career Expos may assist in general Career Planning to help inform young people about possible future opportunities and therefore, help inform subject selections and the Set Plan process.

3 Why have a school Expo? The primary function of a school expo is to offer students the opportunity to consider their future and interact with various avenues of employment, training and/or further education. What is in it for expo participants? Although the primary function is to link students directly with some of their future options, there are also meaningful benefits for all stakeholders: Students the opportunity to meet with their potential future school the opportunity to directly network with Industry/Business and showcase the school Parents the opportunity to be better informed and interact with their children s future Community the opportunity to engage with youth Business/Industry the opportunity to engage with their potential future employees and network with Schools /parents and students.

4 Everyone Benefits from a school Career Expo 2 Getting Started Remember: Allow at least four months lead in to the event. Your organising team should be enthusiastic people who are passionate about supporting young people. If at all possible, include a youth representative in the organising team. Once the organising team is formed, make sure to set agreeable tasks, follow-up and keep in constant contact. All good vehicles need a great driver there will need to be a person to drive the event. This person may have experience in event management, or they may be someone who is very motivated towards seeing the event is no set equation for this.

5 What does the school do first? The very first place to start is to assemble your organising team, ensuring that you have enough lead time approximately six months lead time may be required to undertake such an event. The organising team Like most events, conducting a successful school Career expo is dependent first and foremost on having some able and enthusiastic leadership, along with a core group of four or five motivated organisers who are well connected with the local area, training and employment opportunities etc.

6 So where can you find this group? Discuss the concept with the service clubs in your area; Rotary, Lions etc Visit TAFE and other local training organisations school leaders, youth representatives Parents & Citizens Associations, Parents & Friends Associations Local Government, Group Training companies and Chambers of Commerce are also worth speaking to. school Careers Advisors And remember to find out about WorldSkills Australia in your region ( ) and speak to the key organisers who are usually TAFE teachers and business people.

7 The team will need a driver, the person who will keep the momentum flowing. Once you have gathered a team of people, assigning tasks, following them up and keeping in constant communication is paramount to the event s success. 3 Remember: Why are we having the event? What is the name of the event? Who are your stakeholders? When should you have the event? Where should the event be held? How will you move the project forward? Contact Council to discuss your plans Consider who you could partner with to deliver the event - a shared response provides a greater and more successful impact.

8 The organising team will need to answer a few questions from the outset to inform the unfolding of the event. The answers will give a structure to the event Planning and can be used to inform those you wish to engage in the event. The first question is: Why? The organising team needs to establish why you want to run a school Career Expo - what is the purpose of the event. This will be the foundation for the project and a reference point to ensure the project stays on track. What? After you have defined the purpose of the event, the next stage is to name the event.

9 Giving a name to the event makes it easier to mar-ket and promote to the community at large. Keep in mind, the name needs to be short, snappy and positive. Who? Although this is the same as a stakeholder analysis, it bares repeating again. The organising team needs to ascertain who are the key players and stakeholders this will inform who you promote stall holder positions to, who you would consider partnering with to create sustainability and consolidation of resources etc. This will also be the time to consider if all students are invited to the event, if other Schools are included etc.

10 When? As mentioned earlier, the longer the lead time the easier the Planning can be. Allow for at least four months, this may seem like a long time but when you get past the initial phase of Planning , it only leaves roughly three months to get everything together. If you are wanting key people to attend - eg local members, political people etc, you will need to consider their calendars before a definite date is secured. Also consider if there are any public holidays, school holidays or special events that are already happening within your local area at that time.