2018 Professional Snapshot
Thu 08 Mar 2018
Over 60 school students from across the Shoalhaven participated in Shoalhaven City Council’s Economic Development’s Professional Snapshot program yesterday, 7 March 2018.
Now in its tenth year, the Professional Snapshot is a collaboration between the spba (Shoalhaven Professional Business Association) and Shoalhaven City Council, with support from the University of Wollongong Shoalhaven, businesses and local High Schools.
Students are offered a day program where they can participate in an innovative and unique career showcase that aims to provide high school students in Year 10/11 with a snapshot of career pathways and opportunities available in the Shoalhaven.
Local businesses opened their doors and provided time in helping students learn about various industries and careers of growth in the region, including accounting, architecture, legal, engineering, surveying, health career paths, strategic planning, community development and recreational planning.
The day of workshops and hands on activities showcased the day in a life of a professional. Professionals shared their experiences, what studies and pathways students may need to get into a job, what a typical day may entail and some even provided practical information on how to find jobs once the students are qualified. The day encouraged students to explore different career options available in the Shoalhaven.
Economic Development Manager, Greg Pullen, said this program allowed students to see first- hand what different career avenues are available in our City and ask questions from experts in their field. “We have been delivering this program for ten years to ensure our youth can hear first-hand the career opportunities available in the Shoalhaven. We hope this program will encourage our youth to study, stay and work in the place they grew up in and to also explore different career pathways that they may not have thought about.”
“There are many industries growing in our area including health, strategic planning, surveying, accounting, engineering opportunities in roads and infrastructure. These are the jobs in the next few years that will be in high demand. Our aim is to help our youth gain employment, get the necessary skills and training and keep our youth employed in our area.”
Greg continued, “Over the years we have had a lot of success with this program with students choosing to study options that can keep them employed close to home.”
Nowra High School Careers Adviser Paul Hill said, “I would like to thank the Council team for running such a successful excursion and for your valuable input into our Careers Program. The enthusiasm and organisational skills showcased were amazing. I had a wonderful group of students to supervise and my students from Nowra High School said they had a great day. Seeing the students widen their horizons is always exciting.”
Council and the Shoalhaven Professional Business Association (spba) would like to thank the following businesses for participating and helping our youth stay employed locally: Financial Dynamics, Tait Miller McIntyre, Edmiston Jones, RMB Lawyers, Walsh & Monaghan, MI Engineering, SET Consultants, Grand Pacific Health, Basham Chiropractic and Physiotherapy, Southern Podiatry Clinic, Nowra, Allied Health Centre and GHD.