Pathways forward at futures fest

AN annual event aimed at showcasing the career pathways available for students in the region and surrounds is set to return later this month.

The Ballarat Careers and Futures Festival will take place on Monday 22 July at Ballarat Grammar and run through the school’s careers team.

Formerly the Ballarat Careers Expo, the event was reimagined last year in a new format and Ballarat Grammar careers practitioner Kate Brusamarello said organisers will continue to evolve it.

“The previous expo was on a bigger scale…which could have been potentially overwhelming for students,” she said.

“We’re focusing less on specific jobs in schooling but more the broader pathways they can take within post-school education and training.

“We’re building on that idea that we’ve streamlined and scaled it down to all being in one building.

“It’s about post-school options rather than helping determine what students want to be in life. The majority aren’t necessarily ready to make that decision yet.”

More than 40 organisations and institutions will feature in the event including major sponsor ACU, as well as Federation University, Monash University, Deakin University, the University of Melbourne, RMIT, and Charles Sturt University.

Attendees will be able to explore options outside of traditional university and TAFE, like registered training organisations, and apprenticeship and GAP year opportunities.

Ms Brusamarello said the event will showcase a range of local and interstate educational providers, and the experiences of post-study presenters.

“We’ve got a couple of interstate opportunities like the Australian National University, and Bond University from Queensland,” she said.

“Our key seminars will be with ACU, who’ll present about study opportunities, scholarships, accommodation…

“We also have a seminar returning from last year which is a panel of young leaders who’ve had a variety of post-school experiences and pathways.”

Ballarat Careers and Futures Festival will be held from 5pm to 7pm at the school’s Centennial Building which attendees can access via gate C.