Knobin Consulting took another challenge to organise the first kind of vocational sector educational exhibition in the most populated city of Western Sydney, Blacktown. The aim of ‘Vocational Career and Employment (VCE) Expo 2014’ was to provide an opportunity to the youth, school leavers with no future guidance, unskilled women at home with low self-esteem, and jobless senior citizens to meet with popular Vocational Colleges and Recruiters in order to build their career or upgrade their qualification or return to employment. This was a community educational awareness project where the entry was free and all services of life coach, mentor, career advisors were free of charge.
Noticeably the turn-out was low but the visitors who came were genuinely looking for their educational and employment needs. Visitors were more interested in life coaching, mentoring and career advice offered free in the event.
“I found out Vocational Career & Employment Expo 2014 is very interesting and helpful for people who are seeking job. It helps a person who needs career building; such as job opportunities, necessary vocational trainings and education, connecting with vocational colleges and training centers, etc” said Aung Zaw Oo, a visitor.
Bashar Ramadanny, an electrical engineer came with his wife, Aman Hashem, she was an IT professional before coming to Australia from Iraq but now wants to return back to her profession. “the exhibition and the staff gave thorough, actionable knowledge that made me and my family more determine plan our career and next step of studying at one of the college in the near future. Every booth we dropped by, we had so precious and valuable information on their product and wise advices on what to do in the next step. Overall the exhibition was a big success and we are looking forward to see the next one in the future and would recommend to have advertise covers larger area and to start early with advertise” said Mr Ramadanny.
“when I saw the advertisement in local newspaper about ‘Vocational Career and employment Expo’ at Bowman Hall, Blacktown arranged by Knobin Consulting, I jumped onto this opportunity and attended this fantastic event. I am very much pleased to share that the event was very useful for me. I got a chance to interact with career guidance experts who helped me with reviewing my resume and gave very useful tips for understanding the job application process followed in Australia. They explained me how to find vacancies using job portals via internet and networking. They also advised me how to target the job search and prepare cover letter.” said a young visitor, Jinendra Chougule who was seeking employment advice.
“Shortly after walking in I was greeted by Thomas at the National Training & Development booth and he ran me through the Interactive Digital Media course. The whole team was very helpful in explaining what the course is about in a no pressure approach and went out of their way to show me a video presentation before schedule. I whole heartedly recommend that anyone who is unsure of or just wanting some direction for a new career should attend future Knobin expos. The whole experience was very pleasant from the helpful and friendly course and careers advisors to winning a free laptop in the draw “said another visitor Shadi Moukhallati.
“Recent surveys and reports by various community groups reveal that the rate of unemployment and lack of opportunities towards career building are higher in the Western Sydney region that is why this VCE expo was planned’ said Syed Atiq ul Hassan, CEO of Knobin Consulting.
“VCE Expo has been a community project of Knobin Consulting working with community organisations. The choice of Blacktown to stage the VCE Expo 2014 has purposely been to encourage the huge number of youth, women and senior citizens from Greater Western Sydney and Inner West areas to attend, the event is building interest and people have appreciated that have come, we will continue to support community projects now the next event will be Melbourne, Mr Hassan announced.
Mr. Susai Benjamin, the Councillor for Blacktown Council was the Chief Guest of the occasion. In his address, Mr. Benjamin praised the efforts of the organisers for taking an initiative of having a valuable event of education for the people of western Sydney. He said, Vocational Education is very important especially living in western region. He met with the exhibitors and visitors and also presented prizes (laptops and iPhones) to the winners of online free registration of the event. Knobin Consulting had 2 laptops and 2 iPhones to give-away in draws during 2-day event.
Vocational Education & Training (VET) System provides brighter employment career paths to all ages. It is a part of tertiary education and training that provides accredited training in job related areas and builds technical skills for those wishing to enter the workforce or reskill. VET covers a large number of careers and industries including various trades, office work, retail, hospitality, business management, community services, childcare, nursing and IT. The qualifications available range from Certificate II to Certificate IV and Diploma to Advanced Diploma. The Australian Government offers financial assistance known as a ‘VET Help-Fee’ to eligible citizens for participating in these courses.
The Government of New South Wales has launched the ‘Smart and Skilled’ program that offers people the chance to learn new skills and/or upgrade their qualifications so that they can advance their career, or change career path.