The Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) recently hosted the Jobs and Careers 2025 Job Expo, an event that successfully connected local businesses with a diverse pool of jobseekers from the Bankstown area. The expo welcomed approximately 80-100 attendees, including migrants, students, recent university graduates, English learners, and experienced professionals looking to upskill or find new opportunities. The day was filled with lively conversations, as jobseekers eagerly engaged with exhibitors who were willing to provide information and guidance. Many attendees were particularly open to the idea of upskilling, seeing it as a way to not only secure a job but also to increase their support for the local community. The event was widely considered a success, with many people leaving with brochures, flyers, and other free items. Most importantly, attendees had their contact details recorded for future discussions, creating a network for ongoing connection and support.

A Hub of Diverse Opportunities

The expo served as a vital meeting ground, allowing attendees to engage directly with representatives from a wide array of local businesses and organizations. Exhibitors from various sectors were on hand to highlight job openings and the skills they value. Attendees had the chance to connect with:

• Employment Services: Services Australia, BreakThru, MTC FutureReady, and MatchWorks—a local employment service—were present to offer support with job applications, skill development, and career advice. Sarina Russo Entrepreneurs was also there, encouraging attendees to explore self-employment and offering mentorship and resources for starting their own businesses. Employer Connections specifically targeted security graduates from Asset College, linking them with major security companies like Protectcorp, MSS Security, and Wilson Security.
• Education and Training: Western Sydney University, TAFE, and the Superior Training Centre provided information on a variety of courses and career pathways.
• Local Businesses and Industry: Arab Bank Australia Limited, Bankstown Sports, The William Inglis Hotel, and Alaseel highlighted a range of roles. A Group Training Organisation (GTO) specialist guided people interested in an automotive apprenticeship, while Wilson Parking highlighted security positions with provided training.
• Industry Associations: The Australian Retailers Association and NECA Training and Apprenticeship showcased opportunities within their respective fields.

Skills and Training to Secure a Future

A key theme of the event was the strong interest in job security, with many attendees asking if a course would guarantee a job. Businesses and training organizations addressed this by highlighting the availability of vocational courses and programs specifically designed to help jobseekers secure employment. Many of these offered a clear pathway to a job after 9-12 months of training, with a significant point being that training would be provided, either throughout the course or as on-the-job training. Some courses were even partnered with employment service providers like Workforce Australia to help jobseekers gain new skills that directly lead to job opportunities. These programs are designed to assist jobseekers in building skills, gaining work experience, and navigating the job market, often providing support with everything from resume writing to interview preparation.

The expo also heavily promoted online courses, offering a flexible learning option for attendees to gain essential skills like language, literacy, numeracy, and digital proficiency. A key highlight was the flexibility of these services, with some programs being offered at a reduced cost or even free of charge.

For non-English speakers and refugees, specialist services were available with experts on hand to provide tailored support and guidance on finding suitable employment.

A Wide Range of Job Openings

The jobs on offer catered to a diverse range of skills and experience levels. While some in the local community sought traditional, physical roles, the expo presented a broad spectrum of opportunities. The main job openings showcased were in high-demand fields such as age care, childcare, community services, warehouse operations, retail, security, hospitality, and skilled trades like forklift operation, chef, and engineering. Professional roles were also available in sales (trainees and consultants), finance (business managers), and administration (including accountants, HR, marketing, and stock control).

The event highlighted that while specific capabilities are crucial for any role, employers across the board are keenly looking for the right attitude in potential hires. This expo reinforced the importance of local initiatives in empowering residents to find meaningful employment and helping businesses find the right talent to grow and thrive.