Share your CAN DO attitude with our youth on 9 August

A Business Expo at the Civic Centre on 9 August is seeking to enlist locals to help showcase how young people can choose to stay on the Coromandel rather than leave to find work.
The Expo is organised by CAN DO, a group of volunteers who joined forces after the Youth Employment function that was held at the Thames Toyota plant in April 2015.
TCDC Community Development Officer Marlene Perry says the group are seeking interest from employers and educational providers to exhibit, or to come on board as a sponsor.
“This is not necessarily about promoting jobs that businesses may or may not currently have – it is more about showing people the type of career options that are available in the area,” explains Marlene.
“An exhibitor’s involvement may be purely about being a good “corporate citizen” by assisting to showcase career options.”
A further aim is to highlight the type of work that young people may be able to return to if they do leave the area for study, travel or work, and giving information on upskilling in preparation for the workforce.
Says Marlene: “For example, an area of concern for many employers is driver licensing. Many employers who require employees to get themselves to shift work or work related driving activities is being addressed by CAN DO member Gavin Buchanan, who has held a number of free workshops for young people and is using this forum to highlight the processes for gaining licences.
“He will be giving tips on preparation for licence testing, and debunking myths which can create mental barriers for young people to start the process of obtaining their driving licence.”
She says the district is very fortunate to have CAN DO’s small group of mainly local business people give their time freely to undertake initiatives that promote employment in the area, and the expo has received a generous grant from the Thames Community Board.
CAN DO in turn wanted to acknowledge the Board and on-going support of the Thames Coromandel District Council.
"Our work is on improving youth employment opportunities in our region – so we really need people to get behind us and appreciate any support,” says Sean Hayes, from Murphy Buses Ltd, and a member of CAN DO.
“Assistance can take many forms, and we are always grateful for any community support that we receive.
Rather than a “traditional” careers expo, the group is seeking exhibits that will provide participants with an interactive experience and is available to help exhibitors with this aspect.
“The CAN DO team can work with exhibitors to include some hands-on activities or displays that will interest attendees, so we’d love to hear from anyone willing to showcase what they do,” says Marlene.
The exhibition takes place on Wednesday 9 August 10am - 4pm. Registration is a MUST www.candothames.org.nz.

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