JobsFest15, held last month by Auckland Council and Youth Connections at Manukau MIT campus was a stunning success. Approximately 2000 young people attended the event in order connect with employers with real jobs on offer, and the place was buzzing. Many young people came away with job offers, while are others left on a positive note knowing their references were being checked. Around 130 took part in CV workshops and learnt tips for conducting successful job interviews.
Forty employers were present and all came away wanting another JobFest with more staff on bigger stands. Each employer ended up with candidates for jobs, some having up to 90 CVs to follow up.
The Tindall Foundation co-founder and Trustee, Stephen Tindall spoke alongside Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown.
Said Stephen, “It was great to see so many local businesses committed to employing young people. Like me, they can see the huge value and potential in supporting young talent in Auckland.”
“Businesses providing work opportunities for our enthusiastic and vibrant young people will have long-lasting economic benefits to the country and will lead to positive, sustainable community outcomes that will help families, communities and our country as a whole, now and in the future.”
See TV3 News coverage – click here – at 21.40 minutes
And an interview on National Radio– click here
The Tindall Foundation is thrilled by the success of JobFest15 and looks forward to more in the future.
Results are still coming through but at this stage, this is what we know:
- Youth Connections aim was 300 jobs on the day across 50 employers with pre-prepared young people including a printed CV
- Employer survey results: 450 jobs vacancies could be filled by JobFest15 candidates (via 40 employers)
- Estimated that close to 2,000 youth attended (1,000 in first hour as all lanyards and food vouchers were distributed by 11am)
- Work and Income engaged with 450 young people throughout the day and received 934 applications for the 299 vacancies available. They are currently working through the process of screening/matching and referring clients to the employers
- Careers NZ ran three CV workshops for 130 young people and aim to have a stand devoted to critiquing/creating CV’s at the next JobFest
- Employers highly rated the event for a)relevant motivated candidates, b) the face to face personality experience, b) the ability to educate young people about the career pathways that they offer
- Majority of employers had 50-60 CV’s to follow up having spoken to an average of 250+ people during the day
- Majority of employers had an average of 15 vacancies that would be a fit for the young people they liked and they planned to interview and reference check
- Some employers were definitely keen on candidates and asked for referees names on the day
- Youth Connections have a database of 2,350 NEET young people who registered for the event.