Mount Isa students were able to meet their sporting heroes and discuss their future prospects on Wednesday (May 29) at the Queensland Former Origin Greats (FOGS) Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo.
Australian and Queensland rugby league greats such as Steve Price, Gary Belcher, Tony Currie, Colin Scott, Gene Miles, Kerrod Walters, Sam Backo and Michael Hancock made an appearance at Xstrata Entertainment Centre as students from the region visited career exhibits.
The expos aim to “build the aspirations” of young Indigenous job seekers, as well as school leavers and current students, with many employers, training and education providers present to discuss career prospects.
Some professions on show included nursing, plumbing, security, building and construction, mining and defence force, with visitors also given insight into the available apprenticeships and traineeships in Queensland.
Alpurrurulam School teacher Thomas Treasure said that his students had ‘some idea’ of their future career aspirations, ranging from road workers to station hands.
“It’s a good chance for the kids to broaden their horizons, and especially because it’s an event aimed at Indigenous students,” he said via The North West Star.
“Some have said they wanted to be miners but we went on the Hard Times Mine tour and now they can see what’s involved, and that it’s more than just standing at a rock face, I think they might’ve changed their minds – it’s a good eye-opener.”
The careers expo will visit Townsville in July, Rockhampton in August, Toowoomba in September and finally Brisbane in October.
