Held today at The BUSY School Coolangatta Campus, the NO LIMITS – Careers Expo offered The BUSY School students in the South-East Queensland region the opportunity to explore career pathways to support their future success.

With interactive workshops and a range of industry employers, education facilities and training organisations exhibiting, students had the chance to gain information and participate in hands-on workshops, offering them a glimpse into different trades.

Cohan, a Year 12 student and Student Leader from the Coolangatta campus shared his excitement about the expo, stating, “I’m excited about how many people are actually interested in giving us opportunities and being able to see what we can do.” As a Student Leader, Cohan acts as a bridge between the students and teachers to assist with any struggles students may be having.

“At my previous school, I didn’t really like it and I had an attitude of, ‘oh well, I’ll just do whatever, maybe mechanics’, but now that I really like school since coming here, I want to do something I enjoy.

“I’ll probably go to Southern Cross University, and I want to be a teacher. I’d like to work at an alternative school, mainly a secondary school like The BUSY School. I’d love to work in a school like this; I believe these types of schools are more personalised and more suited to most students these days.”

Jasper and Seth, Year 11 students from the Shailer Park campus, also attended the day. Both are interested in construction and have already started a school-based apprenticeship. They are taking the opportunity to connect with potential future employers who attended the day.

Jasper said, “The expo is great as we can suss out future job opportunities; it’s a good way to try and find work. I’m interested in construction, and I’m already doing a school-based apprenticeship in construction landscaping.”

Dahna Woods, representing Study Gold Coast—an organisation that connects students to further study and work opportunities upon leaving school—said the reason they exhibited today was, “We are the peak body for industry education, connecting young people with industry across the Gold Coast. It gives us an opportunity to understand what students are after and let them know how we can assist them into industry pathways after completing school.”

Marikka Wilken, Employment Pathway Officer at The BUSY School Coolangatta, said, “We’re really motivated to get our students out there to see what opportunities are available to them. We wanted to give them the opportunity to meet prospective employers.

“We’re really excited by the effort that the exhibitors have put in, the turnout here today, and also the interaction from the students!”

The NO LIMITS – Careers Expo exhibitors included a range of local businesses and esteemed community organisations, Registered Training Organisations, renowned Universities and Trade Industry representatives. View the full list of exhibitors here.

The day provided interactive workshops, a barbecue lunch that everyone enjoyed and even live DJs to add to the atmosphere!

Plan ahead! Our event will be held annually, so if your business is keen on exhibiting in 2025, please contact:

Carly Brown via email at carly.brown@thebusygroup.com.au

Cohan (centre) with the crew from Southern Cross University who exhibited on the day. Cohan is interested in a career path as a high school teacher.

Jasper (L) and Seth (R) with the crew from Smart Apprenticeship Solutions, a Group Training Organisation that offers employment opportunities for apprentices.

Tyla Stanton is making steps to becoming a tiler and living up to his name, recently starting a school-based apprenticeship after an opportunity to do work experience inspired him to pursue a career in tiling.

Identifying as Torres Strait Islander and originating from Ugar (Stephens Island), Tyla previously attended other schools in the Cairns region but found he wasn’t really thriving. Once he enrolled in BUSY Schools and was given the opportunity to explore a trade pathway (which is what he has always wanted to do), Tyla is confident that his future plans are now on track.

“The hands on teaching and smaller classes has helped with my education a lot. I had a great time at my recent work experience and I love that I can do a school-based apprenticeship while still gaining my year 12 certificate. I also love that I’m getting into a trade that I like!”, Tyla said of BUSY Schools and the opportunity he has been given to complete a school-based apprenticeship.

BUSY Schools provides students the opportunity to plan for their working careers while also completing their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), through work experiences with local employers and school-based apprenticeships, where the student starts their apprenticeship or traineeship while still at school.

Undertaking a school-based apprenticeship involves working approximately 7.5 hours per week during school hours, and the work forms part of their curriculum learning. Students also benefit by earning some money while learning on the job and gaining employer contacts that can set them up for employment opportunities before even leaving school.

“Not every student’s dream is to go onto university, although BUSY Schools do support students who want to pursue an academic career pathway as well. Our small class sizes and individualised support mean we can provide education and career mentoring to students that suit their preferences. Tyla is a great example of that and we can’t wait to see his career flourish – Tyla the Tiler, what a great business name for a start!” said CEO for BUSY Schools, Lee Aitkens.

Thanks to BUSY Schools, Tyla is now looking forward to his future stating, “Once I finish this year I want to go full time with my school-based apprenticeship and gain full time hours and more money”.

For more information, visit https://www.busyschools.qld.edu.au/

MEDIA CONTACT:                     

Michelle Ryan, BUSY At Work

0407 169 029 or email michelle.ryan@busyatwork.com.au