General News
8 August, 2024
Pathways Expo 2024, heralded a success by organisers
Pathways Expo's success for students, families, and organisers.
Goolum Goolum Pathways Expo exceeded all expectations with a record number of displays and participants on Wednesday, August 8, at the Horsham Showgrounds.
"It was amazing," project coordinator Kym Bateson said.
"We had forty-one displays offering so much information on careers, courses and futures and with information comes opportunity, and that is the purpose of the annual Pathways Expo, to provide opportunity to our young people," she said.
Schools and Universities participated in the Expo and, in addition to the general school system, offered information and pathways for education.
Two of the success stories of the Pathways model are local youth, Hannah Britten-Cook and Regan Shaw.
Both are now on their way to careers in their chosen field while they work part-time at Goolum Goolum.
"I plan to study and work in Youth Mental Health," Hannah said.
"And the opportunity came about through the Pathways model. I didn't complete secondary school but found out I could still pursue my career through the various pathways in education. "
Hannah has been working part-time at Goolum Goolum since April.
Regan also works part-time at Goolum Goolum and is studying a VEC Vocational Major.
More families attended this year than the previous year, which meant they learned about the opportunities for their student-age children. For some, this meant they found opportunities to begin or continue studying themselves.
"Some of our families never had the opportunity to study when they were school-age children, and to learn they can study as mature-age students is a wonderful thing for them," Ms Bateson said.
"The Expo offers so many opportunities, so this year, we increased the age group of students and young people attending from years seven to twelve.
"We wanted to offer opportunities earlier in their life so they can plan their future earlier.
"Local schools took part, and even students from the South West travelled to attend."
Representatives from the Army, Ambulance, Forestry, and Police were on hand to assist with information about careers in those sectors of the community.
Ms Bateson said the level of student engagement with the exhibitors was higher than last year, and organisers could not be happier with this year's Expo.
"The Expo is shaping futures," she said.