Careers Expos App Creates Nationwide Careers Advice Resource

Careers Expos App Creates Nationwide Careers Advice Resource

The Careers Expos are using mobile technology to connect those seeking careers advice with their wide range of exhibitors and partners, providing a communications channel to assist them in making important career path choices.

The Careers Expos events take place in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton, attracting over 30,000 visitors, each who are making important decisions on career paths, study options and employment. The Expos begin around the country in two weeks time and organisers have just launched an app to create a mobile communications channel between exhibitors and visitors and expect it will have wider appeal.

The app contains all the information you would expect about each of the four Expo events, include time, location, information seminar times and a list of exhibitor profiles. A QR code reader allows users attending the events to register with exhibitors to receive follow up information.

The function that is most exciting is the app’s built-in chat function, effectively creating a forum where questions can be posted, a resource that organisers hope will become a virtual expo. The Expo already produces a complimentary magazine which is distributed across the country, far beyond the event catchments and the app will compliment this with a live channel for advice.

Director of the Expos, Mark Gillard, is hoping this becomes a popular resource for anyone around the country who is seeking answers to career advice questions. “Beyond the young people and their parents who make up the largest demographic of visitors at our expo, being mobile and instant I expect the app will have wider appeal.”

“I envisage anyone seeking careers advice and even careers advisors will find this as a useful tool. For instance a school careers advisor in Westport might source expert answers for one of their pupils, even though they aren’t attending the expos.”

Exhibitors with profiles on the app include universities, training providers, industry organisations and some big employers. Exhibitors can use a push notification option to advise users of a wide range of useful information. Educators might post information about open days or reminders to register for courses. Employers might post updates about summer employment opportunities, internships or apprenticeships.

For the Expo organisers themselves, they hope to expand their digital offerings, creating an online community and resource hub. The app also allows them the opportunity to poll their users and provide insights into how they can continue to improve the expo and their platforms. Having begun to establish a database last year, and growing a Facebook following the app has already been downloaded by hundreds of users.

The Careers Expo app is free to download from itunes for iphones and ipads or Google Play for Android devices. Visit the Careers Expo website for information and links: www.careersexpo.org.nz

Careers Expo Background
The annual Careers Expos are open to the public, attracting over 35,000 people each year. Hundreds of schools arrange groups to attend, while others attend individually. There are evening and weekend sessions to appeal to parents and guardians and those already involved in study and employment.

The addition of ITOs is a significant boost in the representation of trade and trade employers. The six ITOs already committed to exhibiting in 2014 already work with over 100,000 employees in thousands of organisations.

• Over 30000 students attend each year from over 300 secondary schools
• Auckland, the largest event had a total of 56 exhibitors last year
• 30000 magazines are produced, distributed to schools and available at the event and on the website to download. The magazine reaches those outside of event regions.
• A new format was introduced in 2013, segmenting the exhibitors according to five industry sectors in line with the governments Vocational Pathways program developed in partnership with ITOs, businesses and schools
• This year a smartphone app compliments the expos and the magazine

Expo Partners:
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
• Careers New Zealand
• MediaWorks

There are four Careers Expos in 2014:

Auckland, May 8th -10th,
ASB ShowGrounds, Greenlane

Wellington, May 16th -17th,
TSB Arena, Queens Wharf

Christchurch, May 22nd-24th
CBS Arena, Addington

Hamilton, 8-9th June
Claudelands Events Centre, Brooklyn

ENDS

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