Knox City Council in collaboration with Maroondah City Council, and Yarra Ranges Council and the Outer Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (OELLEN) brought together over 1200 students from more than 25 schools for the 2025 Career Expo on Thursday, 21 August, at Caribbean Gardens.
The event was designed to provide young people with a unique opportunity to explore a wide variety of career, training, and education pathways.
With over 70 stallholders, including local businesses, education providers, and community groups, the Career Expo gave students and jobseekers a firsthand look at the diverse opportunities available to them across the region and beyond.
Students were able to connect directly with industry experts, ranging from healthcare and engineering to the creative arts and emerging technologies.
OELLEN’s community engagement advisor, Chloe Williams said the scale of the event was an intentional move to engage as many young people as possible.
“We wanted to engage with young people across the region, and a large event allowed us to work with schools from public, private, Catholic, and independent sectors,” Ms Williams said.
“Getting so many training organisations, businesses, and educators in one space was amazing.”
The goal was to inspire and empower students by giving them the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their futures.
“We hope they walk away having learned about a new career or education pathway that excites them,” Ms Williams said.
“The exhibitors we worked with are excellent at what they do. They take the time to talk to young people as equals, ask questions, and get to know them, to make the process approachable and empowering.”
For many young people, career decisions can be overwhelming, however, the expo aimed to take some of the pressure off by creating a relaxed environment where students could explore without feeling rushed.
“Having knowledgeable, practical experts in the room makes all the difference,” Ms Williams said.
A key theme of the day was the idea of “future pathways”, a vision for today’s students and jobseekers.
“It’s about helping young people understand how they can build a career right here in our region,” Ms Williams said.
“We want them to be excited about their future and the opportunities they can take advantage of.”
The success of the event was made possible through the strong support of local businesses, schools, and community groups.
“We had a number of small businesses, community organisations, and non-profits dedicate their entire day to host stalls and engage with attendees,” Ms Williams said.
“Additionally, the support from Knox, Maroondah, and Yarra Ranges councils, Workforce Australia, and KIOSC at Swinburne University was crucial in making the event a reality.”
For students who attended, the day was not just about discovering potential career paths but about connecting with their community and feeling empowered to take the next steps toward a bright future.
Ms Williams said the expo has paved the way for even greater opportunities in the future, ensuring that young people in the Outer East are well-equipped to build successful careers and play an active role in shaping the region’s future.
