In partnership with Ministry of Social Development, Ashburton District Council is proud to host Ashburton's second annual Employment Exchange event on 4 November held at the Ashburton Club & MSA.

The Ashburton Employment Exchange is a unique networking and training opportunity for those looking to enter the workforce or are now faced with an opportunity to change direction.

Local employers seeking additional people to join their teams, either now or in the future, will gain insight into a wider range of job-seekers and the funding support programm​es, as well as information on how the new apprenticeship initiatives could benefit their business.

Community Services Group Manager, Steve Fabish says the Employment Exchange is designed to ensure it is a valuable use of peoples' time and due to the informative training sessions, it departs from a traditional employment expo.

"The Employment Exchange programme will look to address the impacts of COVID-19 within our local employment market, while helping people who may be finding hard to enter the workforce or those who have now found themselves with the opportunity to change their career direction. They will be able to connect with employers with the hope to gain work experience or a permanent position.

"Likewise, employers - whether or not they make a direct connection with a job-seeker on the day, will gain invaluable knowledge from industry professionals, widen their recruitment pool, and learn how they can make a difference in our community," Mr Fabish adds.

Featured guests for the Ashburton Employment Exchange include speakers from the Ministry of Social Development, Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, Zest People and representatives of local businesses.

This free event will run from 9am - 12pm at the Ashburton Club & MSA, Havelock Street, Ashburton and includes morning tea for attendees.