Soon-to-be-school leavers from across the southeast metro region were invited to meet potential employers last Monday at the Industry Training Hub Armadale’s Apprentifest event.
Powered by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, the Industry Training Hub Armadale is one of two such centres that have been operating now for 18 months.
The Hubs’ aim is to improve opportunities for young people in regions with high youth unemployment, targeting Year 11 and 12 students, and Apprentifest on Monday was one such opportunity.
Around 60 students from nine schools attended the Armadale District Hall, where they were met with businesses and industry organisations whom they could approach to understand the apprenticeship, training and employment options available from local businesses.
“It’s the second year we’ve run it,” Armadale Chamber of Commerce’s Linda Winter said.
“The whole idea is to get Year 12 leavers an apprenticeship or traineeship.
“The schools prepared students with basic interview techniques and resumes, and then they came down and had a chat, had their first interviews, they approached a business and said ‘I’m looking for an apprenticeship.’
“We had a total of 59 students and out of that the businesses have indicated there are 39 who will be contacted for interview.
“Kids today leaving school can choose to do what they want to do, there are skills shortages everywhere in WA.
“We are encouraging kids to go into skilled employment because there is so much opportunity.”
