Latest news with #RioTintoNewZealandAluminiumSmelter

Otago Daily Times

CareerFest response ‘incredible'

Rio Tinto New Zealand Aluminium Smelter superintendent contract manager Jaimee Thompson gets Peter Mahia, 16, from Māruawai College, into operator protective gear at CareerFest Southland at Southland Stadium yesterday. PHOTO: NINA TAPU Hundreds of Southland secondary school students made their way around a range of interactive displays during the first day of the 2025 Southland CareerFest yesterday. The regional career exploration event had students and job-seekers connect with experts from various industries from throughout Southland. The event at Stadium Southland drew 50 exhibitors from across Southland, including education providers, industry training organisations, government agencies and the business sector. Great South Southland youth futures team manager Renata Gill said there was a positive level of engagement from both schools and the employers. "We've just had an incredible response so far from the schools in Southland, which shows the importance of an event like CareerFest," Ms Gill said. "What has been so fantastic is how enthusiastic and passionate the exhibitors have been, in sharing their own journeys and experiences [with] the young people." Aquaculture New Zealand, Fonterra and Rio Tinto were some of the exhibitors at CareerFest promoting the career opportunities they offered. Rio Tinto New Zealand Aluminium Smelter superintendent contract manager Jaimee Thompson said being a internationally known business had helped with engaging the interest of the students and the public. "We are known as a global business so that has helped with people being interested in what we have to offer," Ms Thompson said. "We provide different training pathways for various roles such as the electrical industry, machinery or driving. "I started at the company seven years ago and am part of a massive growth in females working here over the last few years." CareerFest Southland runs until 7.30pm today.