Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the NSW Youth Opportunities Program funding would underwrite the Moree Youth Careers Expo in late 2019, which would be driven and led by members of the Moree Plains Shire Youth Council.

The expo is intended to give young people in Moree a point where they can boost their confidence and help reach their potential.

“This will be a significant forum for young people in the Moree district to connect with people who can help and support them in tapping into the agencies and industry experts that they need to either access educational opportunities, training or the jobs market they want to find,” Mr Marshall said.

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“The council is looking to involve as many youth groups as they can in designing the expo and what it will provide for youth, as well as business and industry leaders.

“The focus clearly will be on youth – and what they need from this expo.

“The council has some initial ideas including a one-stop-shop area where young people can find out about career choices as well as information on universities, job strategies and apprenticeship opportunities.

“There will also be an area dedicated to mock interview role-plays, with one-on-one interaction where the kids can get all their questions answered if they’re not sure about they want to do.”

Mr Marshall said a key component would be to take advice from such organisations as the local Youth Council and other youth groups to identify what they want, how they can get it, and the pathways to make it successful.

“The latest Census figures show us that there’s something like 650 young people in secondary schools in Moree, so providing expert advice and info to them about career paths and opportunities ahead is critical,” he said.

“The unemployment rate in Moree has been at under seven per cent but careers expos like this one for Moree will be a vital factor in ensuring we provide safety nets for kids who don’t want to or are at risk of falling into that jobless hole.”