Share
Tweet
Share
Share
Thousands of South Australian students are getting a front-row seat to the jobs of the future this week, as the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo takes over the Adelaide Showground with interactive experiences, training opportunities and industry connections.
More than 10,000 students from 140 schools are expected to attend the event, which brings together over 200 organisations and employers showcasing career pathways across some of the state’s fastest-growing industries.
From defence and infrastructure to housing and trades, the expo is highlighting a demand for skilled workers in South Australia and the growing opportunities available outside traditional university pathways.
One of the biggest drawcards this year is a full-scale house frame built by TAFE SA students, giving attendees a hands-on look at the many trades involved in construction, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, bricklaying, and glass and glazing.
Students can also try out a virtual reality welding simulator, designed to introduce young people to careers in engineering and welding in a more immersive and engaging way.
The event comes as apprentice and trainee enrolments at TAFE SA continue to climb, with numbers increasing by 39 per cent during the Malinauskas Government’s first term. Enrolments jumped from 6,124 in 2021-22 to 8,529 in 2024-25, reflecting growing interest in vocational training and skilled trades.
More than 5,200 public school students have already started vocational education qualifications through Flexible Industry Programs in 2025, allowing students to gain industry skills and complete training while still at school.
Education, Training and Skills Minister Lucy Hood said, “Connecting with industry, hearing from our tech colleges and gaining hands-on insights helps students uncover a new passion and engage in sectors of growing demand.
“It’s important to show young people they don’t need to go to university to excel in their future career while building a skilled workforce to deliver on our ambitious infrastructure and housing projects.”
The expo is showcasing the state’s expanding network of technical colleges, with applications now open for the 2027 intake at Findon, Modbury Heights, Tonsley, Port Augusta and the Limestone Coast campuses.
Visitors to the Education Department’s Student Pathways and Careers Hub can hear directly from current students about their training experiences and accelerated pathways into employment.
According to government projections, South Australia will require around 80,000 vocational education and training qualifications over the next five years, highlighting the growing importance of trade and technical careers across the state.
TAFE SA Chief Executive Adam Kilvert said, “TAFE SA has a strong presence at the expo which includes a variety of interactive activities, plus we will have our experts on hand to provide all the latest information and answer questions on qualifications, career paths and employment opportunities.
“There is strong demand for skilled workers in our state and we’re focused on delivering sought after skills and knowledge – whether it’s to a school student looking for a meaningful employment pathway, or existing workers seeking new training options.”
The Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo runs at the Adelaide Showground until Saturday.
