About the Festival

The Otago Careers Festival has been established to benefit the Otago community. Benefits of the festival include:

  • Job-seekers will find new opportunities for employment.
  • Employers will meet prospective new employees.
  • Parents and caregivers will gain new information and insights into career opportunities for their children.
  • Industry groups will provide information and encouragement.
  • Doors will open for migrants
  • School Career Advisers will broaden their reach across industries and firms.
  • Career changers will be exposed to new opportunities.
  • Training institutions and other providers will extend their reach into the Otago communities.
  • Local employment will be encouraged
  • Networks will be created or strengthened

The festival is being produced by a Festival Steering Group in partnership with the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs. The Festival Steering Group is made up of industry organisations, government agencies, business associations, secondary schools, tertiary training institutions, business support forms, career advisors, local authorities and others interested in career development in and for Otago.

A number of prominent Otago citizens have shown their support of the festival:

"The City Council sees the Careers' Festival as hugely important for the city and its residents.  Planning for one's future in the workforce is important at any time of your life but it takes on even greater importance is these difficult economic times. We hope the Festival will give all residents an opportunity to explore different career options and its 'any stage at any age' message will encourage those looking for a career change later in life to investigate other options before making any firm commitments." Peter Chin, Dunedin City Mayor.

"The Otago Chamber is pleased to be able to support the Otago Careers Festival, which is an exciting new initiative designed to outline the wide ranging options for people looking to develop their career.  The festival is a great way to showcase the opportunities that are available within the local community, and to promote new and interesting employment opportunities.  It also gives local employers the opportunity to promote their industry." John Christie, Chief Executive, Otago Chamber of Commerce.