Try your hand at driving a digger or build a saw horse from plans, as part of the Mid Canterbury Career Fest at the Ashburton Showgrounds next week.

The job festival on Thursday 9 October will have a number of interactive exhibits, all designed to showcase the variety of jobs in the Ashburton District and give people a chance to give something a go.

Some 30 businesses will be there, including Greg Donaldson Contracting, who will have a small digger on site to move gravel. McKain Construction will invite people to build a saw horse, while Men at Work will have a traffic management plan with cones as part of their hands-on display.

Other exhibitors include Morrison Agri, Plucks, Torea Orchard, Fonterra, EA Networks and the NZ Defence Force.

Career Fest will run from 3.30pm-7pm and the event is a collaboration between Council, the Mayors Taskforce For Jobs and the Ministry of Social Development.

Everyone who goes will be invited to complete a feedback form that puts them into a draw to win a $500 grocery voucher. Plus on the day, there will be a free barbecue and entertainment in the form of Pedalmania and their freaky bikes.

Career Fest is seen as a way for people to start conversations and broaden horizons about work choices that are available in the district, whether they are just starting in the job force or looking to upskill.