Local talent and top industries unite for Bass Coast Careers Expo
Hundreds of eager job seekers, career changers, and local school students attended the fifth annual Bass Coast Jobs and Careers Expo at the Wonthaggi Town Hall to connect with the region's top employers and training organisations.
HUNDREDS of eager job seekers, career changers, and local school students attended the Bass Coast Jobs and Careers Expo at the Wonthaggi Town Hall to connect directly with the region's top employers and training organisations.
Now in its fifth year the increasingly popular event was delivered by Bass Coast Shire Council in close partnership with the Workforce Australia Local Jobs Program and the Victorian Skills and Jobs Centres.
Over the years, the expos have established themselves as a critical annual fixture for community development, providing a centralised hub for residents to explore diverse employment pathways, training options, and long-term career choices.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor Brett Tessari expressed immense pride in the community response and the high calibre of businesses participating in the event. He emphasised the immense value of bringing a wide variety of industries under one roof to boost local employment outcomes.
“It was fantastic to get so many employers in one room providing diverse job opportunities,” Mayor Tessari said. He also highlighted the expanding reach of the event, noting the arrival of major new industry players. “It was great to have Kilcoy Global Foods here for the first time.”
A second major expo is scheduled to take place on Phillip Island, ensuring that residents across different pockets of the region have equal access to face-to-face networking with local businesses.
For job seekers, the expos offer a rare chance to bypass traditional online applications and speak directly with hiring managers. Local economic data indicates that regional healthcare, construction, tourism, and agriculture continue to drive job growth.
Industry representatives at the Wonthaggi Town Hall provided attendees with vital insights into the exact certifications and skills required to fill immediate vacancies.
Representatives from Victorian Skills and Jobs Centres were available throughout the day to provide free resume reviews and career coaching which proved incredibly popular, with queues forming early as attendees sought advice on how to stand out in a competitive job market.
Organisers noted that the event also aimed to address the retention of young talent within the Bass Coast region. By showcasing high-growth industries and stable career trajectories close to home, the shire hopes to mitigate the seasonal youth migration to metropolitan Melbourne. Business owners echoed this sentiment, stating that finding local, dedicated staff is essential for their long-term operational sustainability.
The success of the Wonthaggi opening sets a positive benchmark for the upcoming Phillip Island event. Local transport authorities are already coordinating with the council to ensure adequate shuttle services are available for the next expo, making it easy for job seekers from surrounding regional towns to attend.
As regional industries continue to evolve, the Bass Coast Local Jobs and Careers Expos remains a vital bridge between community potential and economic opportunity.
