Students test their job skills

More than 2500 secondary school students descended on Lardner Park on Tuesday last for the biggest JobSkills Expo staged in the region.

More than 100 exhibitors provide a showcase of careers with hands on activities including bricklaying, carpentry, hospitality, health, horticulture, agriculture, beauty, retail, electrical, engineering, automotive, emergency services and more.

The JobSkills Expo targets year 9 and 10 students, VCAL students and young people from training and community organisations in the Latrobe City, West Gippsland, South Gippsland and Bass Coast regions.

It engages young people with hands on activities, advice and information about the various skills, jobs and industries that make up the regional workforce.

The Jobskills Expo is organised by Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN and South Gippsland Bass Coast LLEN with funding support from organisations throughout Gippsland including local government, education providers and local business.

Their sponsorship enables the provision for free transport to every student to and from the expo. This significantly increases student participation and removes any barriers students face because of distance.

Industry based seminars also ran on the day, with guest speakers from each industry covering career pathways, training and job opportunities.

Right: Trafalgar High School students Laura Mills and Larni De Maria show off their creations at the childcare stall.

Trafalgar High School student Grady Ruiter was one of the better performed students on the hanging challenge, persisting for more than one minute.