Students shown area's opportunities
More than 750 students attended the 2025 South Canterbury Year 11 Pathways Expo at the Southern Trust Events Centre this month.
The annual career expo connected youth with local career options.
The event offered year 11 students, from across the region, the chance to engage directly with more than 30 local businesses and training providers.
Venture Timaru vocational co-ordinator Liam Brown said the event was structured around a mix of fast-paced speed networking sessions and a traditional expo format, allowing students to have meaningful, small-group conversations with industry professionals.
The expo featured a lineup of six guest speakers, who shared their personal career journeys — offering real-world inspiration and advice.
Mr Brown said the opening speaker Mayor Nigel Bowen "set the scene for the day" talking about the importance of using initiative, encouraging young people to approach businesses, seek shadowing opportunities and gain insight.
"He highlighted the region's strong network of supportive businesses committed to fostering youth participation in the workforce."
Mr Brown said feedback from businesses on the day was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the engagement of the students and the value of the mixed format allowing direct connection.
Mr Brown put down the enthusiasm of the attending business and their staff and the work career advisers do in prepping their students prior to the event.
The expo was run in collaboration with by the My Next Move youth initiative, the local Careers and Transition Education group, and funded by Venture Timaru.
He said the expo had become a cornerstone event for helping students explore vocational pathways and better understand the opportunities available within their own community.
"With subject choices and career decisions looming, it's critical that young people engage with the world of work early, learning not just what jobs exist, but also what skills, qualifications and mindsets are needed to succeed.
"Events like the Pathways Expo give year 11 students the chance to gain this insight first hand, allowing time to reflect on their options and make more informed decisions when it comes time to leave secondary school," he said.
— APL
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