Expo marks triumphant return

Industrial trade and services were in the spotlight last week at the second annual Namoi Jobs and Trades Expo and Industry Connect gala.

Approximately 32 exhibitors put their services and opportunities on display for Narrabri Shire students at The Crossing Theatre across two sessions hosted for year 5-8 students, then year 9-12 students from Narrabri High School, Wee Waa High School, Narrabri Public School, and Pilliga Public School.

The expo initiative which started last year has been a collaboration between the Narrabri Industrial Network (NIN) with FutureEDU, bringing partnering businesses together to show the best of what the shire community has to offer the future workforce.

Industrial and civil construction companies drove in their heavy machinery for a 6.30am setup at the back of The Crossing Theatre, where the largest outdoor display of MOXYS, loaders, and industrial vehicles was ready to greet eager school students.

WTC’s new machinery wrapped in TradeMutt ‘This Is A Conversation’ labels, as well as Specialised Civil, Whitehaven Coal, Narrabri Shire Council, and GBP Cranes all brought equipment for students to climb on, and a firepit set up by NNWT training was also a highlight.

Narrabri High School year 9 students, front, Ruby Cook, back, Jonty Brayshaw and Ashley Morris.

As well as the heavy machinery display, interactive stalls marked a dedicated commitment to providing a hands-on experience for students.

Expo organiser and Narrabri Industrial Network business development manager Kodey Stanford was impressed with how engaged year 5-8 students from Wee Waa and Narrabri High Schools and Narrabri Public School were, with approximately 200 students going through the first session.

A scavenger hunt facilitated for the first time by Narrabri Shire Council was also a great success.

“The public school kids made that session,” said Ms Stanford.

“During the scavenger hunt, a student came up to me and asked me about how to build a website, so I pointed him in the direction of Harvey IT and Tiemens Creative and he went off to ask them.

“The students were briefed beforehand that they had to ask a question if they wanted to receive a freebie, and they were genuinely eager to learn more about what the businesses do.”

Only in its second year of running, the Jobs and Trade Show was a great success in introducing students to future career opportunities within the Narrabri Shire, and also a much-needed boost for businesses to find future recruits.

“The requisite to be a part of the trade show is that you must be operating in the shire, and providing opportunities to students here, or adding to our economy.

“It’s hard to think about how many opportunities these businesses have within their businesses, but they can’t fill the roles.

“The show is very much about showing the students what’s available here, and changing the conversation that you need to leave Narrabri to be successful.”

Next year, Ms Stanford hopes the Jobs and Trade Show will continue to be a prime showcase for what the trades community has to offer for future generations, as well as grow exposure and networking opportunities for the businesses in the region.

“It’s amazing how much Narrabri will support the community when they see the benefit of it,” said Ms Stanford.

“FutureEDU is a great partnership, it was great having our Rotaract members to help and the mentorship kids seeing the value in community service, along with plenty of amazing sponsors.

“We’re going to start planning again and get feedback from the businesses because we want to keep evolving and improving.

“We do this for the community, and we want it to be the best opportunity for them too.

Wee Waa High School year 9 and 10 students, Makayla Copelin, Tiara Croaker, Hailey Collett, Tanaha Knight, Jannali Kennedy and Maya Biles.

The Namoi Jobs and Trades show had plenty of hands-on deck from the wider Narrabri community, all ready to lend a hand too.

The Industry Connect fundraising gala held at the Narrabri RSL rounded off the weekend of trade, giving attendees an opportunity to get together, connect and celebrate NIN members.

Hosted as a fundraiser, NIN charity partner Rotaract was part recipient of the $4900 raised from the “not so silent” auction, led by NIN president Justin Smith from JA Smith Solutions.

The funds will be used to facilitate a scholarship for a member of the mentorship program held at Narrabri High School.

“We are fortunate enough to be able to offer a scholarship to a student within the mentorship to put towards their further pursuits after school,” said Ms Stanford.

A guest panel with Justin Smith, Narrabri Shire Council mayor Ron Campbell, Jamie Condon from SierraTek Global, and Andrew Snars from Santos, focused on NIN member’s views on agriculture, diversification, and the future of business and was hosted by Narrabri Shire Council small business liaison Gilly Goddard.