More than 10,000 students from 140 schools are getting a firsthand look at future career opportunities at the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo at the Adelaide Showground. The event brings together more than 200 employers and organisations, giving students the chance to explore career pathways linked to South Australia's growing infrastructure, defence and housing sectors.
More than 10,000 students from 140 schools are getting a firsthand look at future career opportunities at the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo at the Adelaide Showground.
The event brings together more than 200 employers and organisations, giving students the chance to explore career pathways linked to South Australia's growing infrastructure, defence and housing sectors. A strong focus has been placed on vocational education, apprenticeships and training opportunities.
The expo comes as apprentice and trainee enrolments at TAFE SA continue to rise, increasing by 39 per cent during the Malinauskas Government's first term. Enrolments reached 8,529 in 2024-25, up from 6,124 in 2021-22.
Vocational education participation among public school students has also grown strongly, with more than 5,200 students commencing qualifications through the Flexible Industry Program in 2025. The initiative helps students gain practical skills and begin apprenticeships or traineeships while still at school.
TAFE SA is featuring a major interactive display at the expo, including a student-built house frame demonstrating trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, bricklaying, painting, and glass and glazing. Students can also experience a virtual reality welding simulator designed to showcase careers in engineering and welding.
Running until Saturday, the expo highlights a range of education and career pathways, including vocational education in schools programs and the Department for Education's Student Pathways and Careers Hub.
Attendees can also learn more about the State Government's technical colleges and hear directly from students already undertaking accelerated career pathways. Applications for the 2027 intake are now open for campuses at Findon, Modbury Heights, Tonsley, Port Augusta and the Limestone Coast.
South Australia is expected to require around 80,000 vocational education and training qualifications over the next five years, underscoring the growing demand for skilled workers across key industries.
The State Government has invested heavily in skills and training initiatives, including the $2.3 billion National Skills Agreement, Fee-Free TAFE, five new technical colleges with another three in development, and increased support for training providers to help address workforce shortages.
Lucy Hood said the expo demonstrated the wide range of opportunities available to young South Australians and highlighted the importance of exposing students to industries experiencing strong demand.
She said hands-on experiences and direct connections with industry could help students discover new passions while preparing for careers in essential sectors supporting the state's future growth.
TAFE SA Chief Executive Adam Kilvert said the organisation's strong presence at the expo included interactive activities and access to experts who could provide advice on qualifications, employment pathways and training opportunities.
He said demand for skilled workers remained strong across South Australia, with TAFE SA focused on delivering practical skills and training for both school students and existing workers seeking new career opportunities.
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