Australia’s largest and most comprehensive aviation, aerospace and defence industry event has broadened its scope to include a major careers advisory showcase. This new initiative was successfully planned and conducted in conjunction with the Airshow organisers, Aerospace Australia, Career Advice Australia (CAA), Commonwealth and State Government departments, and Industry Stakeholders including Engineers Australia.

It successfully combined a world-class aviation spectacular with an industry exposition showcasing the latest in aerospace and land defence technology attended by over 100,000 people. The decision to combine the event with a Careers Showcase followed widespread
industry and government recognition of skills shortages, in particular engineering and technology skills, in the key areas of aviation, aerospace and defence.

The showcase provided a stimulating program of events that clearly demonstrated the diversity of current and future career opportunities and skill requirements within aviation, aerospace and defence.

A Professional Development opportunity for approximately 400 science, technology, mathematics and specialist teachers, careers advisors, and VET coordinators from around Australia participated in a “professional development day”, as accredited trade visitors. The day included presentations and panel discussion by key industry personnel, discussion workshops and networking opportunities, provision of a careers information resource kit and access to the 600 trade exhibitors at the show. A self education program for close to 300 undergraduate engineers who had access to ‘trade only’ aspects of the show, was successfully managed by the Royal Aeronautical Society.

The students were able to access the booths and speak to employers on the “trade only” days of the show, gaining knowledge of the behind the scenes industry aspect of the expo.

…the students got a lot out of the experience, making valuable contacts within industry. Some of them were fortunate enough to line up work experience opportunities with businesses that participated in the expo.

The weekend “Public Days” activities included all of the visual excitement of the International Airshow, plus a new display area, devoted to providing career information for parents and children. This included an interactive area called “Give-it-a-Go” featuring a number of aerospace, aviation and defence organisations, that provided an opportunity for young people to “have a go” at a number of fun tasks, that related to occupational skills featured in
industries represented at the Airshow. Example of activities included; computer assisted designing, engraving, pilot and air traffic control simulation, model airplane making in sheet metal and cardboard and many others.

Australian Industry Group’s, National Industry Career Specialist (Manufacturing) Mr Terry Bowden said: “using public events such as trade shows and exhibitions provides a great opportunity for manufacturers to promote careers and showcase technology involved. The International Airshow 2007 ‘Careers & Skills Showcase’ is an excellent example of this strategy."

Career Advice Australia (CAA) is an Australian Government Initiative aimed at providing young Australians with improved access to high quality information on career opportunities in industry and to assist Australian Industry address skill needs and engage in young people’s career development.

The Network comprises two tiers of industry career advice including 10 National Industry Career Specialists and 57 Regional Industry Career Advisers, as well as 213 Local Community Partnerships and 100 Youth Pathways Providers working directly with young people and industry across Australia.

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) won a significant portion of the CAA contract to deliver 28 of the 57 Regional Industry Career Adviser (RICA) services and four of the 10 National Industry Career Specialist (NICS) services. The NICS industry sector services to be delivered by Ai Group include; Manufacturing, ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities, Business and Innovation, and Resources and Infrastructure.

For further information on Career Advice Australia activities in the Manufacturing and Engineering sectors contact:

Terry Bowden
National Industry Career Specialist – Manufacturing
Australian Industry Group
0418 199 256
tbowden@aigroup.asn.au