Around 500 students from Broken Hill and surrounding areas walked away from this month’s Far West Careers Expo with a clearer picture of what comes next, and a business card or two in their pocket. Organised by Regional Development Australia Far West (RDA Far West), the expo brought more than 70 exhibitors to Broken Hill, including universities, training organisations, emergency services, employers and community services. For a full day, students moved between stalls, asked questions, collected resources and took part in interactive demonstrations designed to make career pathways feel less abstract and more within reach.
Firsthand insight, not just a brochure
What set the expo apart was direct access. Rather than reading about a career online, students spoke to the people doing the job – employers explaining workplace expectations, training providers outlining study requirements, and apprenticeship coordinators mapping out what a pathway into a trade actually looks like. For many students, that direct contact opened doors they hadn’t previously considered, particularly in trades, healthcare, community services and regional development. Exhibitors reported strong engagement throughout the day, with students showing genuine curiosity about what different careers involve and what it takes to get there.
Practising the skills that matter
Beyond the career information itself, the expo gave students a low-stakes setting to practise something just as valuable: talking confidently to employers and training providers. Conversations kept circling back to job readiness and transferable skills – communication, teamwork and problem-solving – the attributes that matter regardless of which pathway a student eventually chooses.
Built for the region, run for the region
The event’s smooth running was no accident. A well-structured layout let students navigate easily between stalls, and session timing ensured every year group had a meaningful chance to take part. Feedback from students and exhibitors alike pointed to the same conclusion: events like this matter more, not less, when they’re run locally – recognising Broken Hill’s distinct workforce needs and opportunities.
That local turnout was the headline for RDA Far West Director of Regional Development, Michael Williams.
“With more than 70 exhibitors in attendance, including many who travelled significant distances, the commitment shown toward empowering young people in our region was exceptional,” Mr Williams said. “This level of support clearly highlights the diverse career pathways available to students and reinforces the strong opportunities that exist within regional communities.”
RDA Far West extends its thanks to every exhibitor who gave their time, expertise and resources to the day – a reminder that building career awareness in regional communities takes a genuinely collective effort, from local employers through to organisations willing to travel long distances to be part of it.
Regional Development Australia Far West organised and delivered the Far West Careers Expo in Broken Hill.
All images courtesy RDA Far West.