Future of Work illuminates pathways for Marlborough students
Samuelu Ifopo tries on Senior Constable Dean Buckley’s vest during the Future of Work expo at Marlborough Events Centre on 10 June. Photo: Evan Tuchinsky.
If you do not see a road ahead, you may not see the way forward. That, in essence, is the driving principle for Future of Work.
The career expo returned to Marlborough Events Centre last Friday, this year organised by the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce with funding support from Council. Students from local colleges – some later accompanied by parents and family – got a chunk of schooltime hours to learn about pathways to jobs, careers and professions.
Exhibitors lined the lobby, filled both halls and occupied spots in the car park. Most geared their displays toward practical, tactile activities. Free burgers, coffee and bottled water fuelled participants.
“Having interactive experiences is so big – it helps to be hands-on,” noted Brian Dawson, a councillor and manager of Business Trust Marlborough, which distilled pitching ideas for businesses into a game.
Port Marlborough erected an animatronic crane next to a lower-tech docking exercise (a model ship and threads). Immediately adjacent, Council’s communications team brought out a 75-year-old manual typewriter, something most teens had never seen, let alone touched.
Students’ stories
Peyton Walker was looking forward to the event for two years. She wanted to learn about opportunities in the aquaculture industry, and she came away from the Marine Farming Association table with an armload of materials.
Her mother, Talia Burton-Walker, appreciated how “people were willing to talk to her locally” about work Peyton could pursue that meshes with her interest in marine biology. Peyton gained some clarity though already realised “I have a long way to go”.
Julie Mackay has a similar passion about medicine. She sought to better understand what college courses would prepare her best for her future studies. She found answers – the importance of both physics and chemistry, for instance, at the University of Otago booth.
Encapsulating the expo, Samuelu Ifopo got a primer on police equipment while wearing Senior Constable Dean Buckley’s vest. He beamed as his sisters looked on, also smiling.
Summarised Brian: “I am confident in the curiosity of the next generation. We’re in good hands in a rapidly evolving tech environment.”