The Namoi Jobs and Trades Show will make its debut at The Crossing Theatre tomorrow, September 14, in an effort to showcase the many employment and education opportunities which exist in the Narrabri Shire.

Fifty businesses employing local people will be showcased at the expo which has come about as a result of a partnership between the Narrabri Industrial Network and Future
EDU.

Wednesday’s interactive expo will be hands-on.

Representatives from the two organisations, Kodey Stanford (NIN) and Trudy Seamark (Future EDU), said many of the businesses attending the show are facing their own challenges in the form of worker shortages, however, are making an effort to have a presence at The Crossing Theatre.

Local businesses across a range of industries will be featured in addition to education opportunities at organisations including the Country Universities Centre, TAFE and Community College.

The spectrum of businesses spans health services, leading local industrial firms, banking and finance, hospitality and catering and more.

Training organisations and job agencies will also be featured.

An initial schools only session will be held in the morning, enabling students to see that opportunities for employment and education are available right at their front doorstep.

The general public is able to visit the jobs and trades show from 2pm to 6pm.

Community support is also part of tomorrow’s inaugural expo, with Rotaract Club of Narrabri providing volunteer assistance.

Ms Stanford, NIN’s business development manager, reported early flow-on effects from the show.

She said printing businesses had indicated increased patronage as a result of tomorrow’s expo.

Ms Stanford said this year’s show was intended to be a pilot event, however, was overwhelmed with the strong response.

“It has been a dream of a lot of members of the Narrabri Industrial Network to combat labour shortages in town and promote local goods and services,” she said.

Mrs Seamark expressed similar sentiments and said she and friend Jenny Campbell had long dreamed of holding a jobs and trades show in Narrabri.

Part of this, she said, was to get rid of the stigma that people had to leave Narrabri to seek education opportunities or career success.

Tomorrow’s expo is not just suited to shire students, it is also ideal for job seekers or those looking for a change of career.

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