Students get glimpse beyond school gate

Mayor Darren Power (centre left) and Cr Jon Raven with Air Force Sergeant Benjamin Rogers and year 11 Beenleigh State High School student Deegan Byford at the Bridge to Business event.
Mayor Darren Power (centre left) and Cr Jon Raven with Air Force Sergeant Benjamin Rogers and year 11 Beenleigh State High School student Deegan Byford at the Bridge to Business event.

Hundreds of high school students eyed the future today when an informative employment event returned to Beenleigh State High School.

The second annual Bridge to Business expo connected year 10 to 12 students from more than 10 City of Logan high schools with more than 60 businesses on the hunt for local staff.

The event is an initiative of the Mayor’s Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce, which seeks to connect job seekers of all ages with employment and training providers.

The Taskforce assisted 213 people – including 58 young jobseekers – find work in 2022/23.

Businesses from the construction, manufacturing, defence, health, food and performing arts industries attended today’s event.

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said the mini-expo was a practical way to link young job seekers with future employment.

“This event is designed to bridge the gap between eager, job-ready school leavers and local employers keen to tap into the enthusiasm of talented young people,” Cr Power said.

Economic Development Chair, Councillor Jon Raven said Council was keen to help young people secure employment close to home.

“Local jobs help local people to prosper and enjoy quality of life while supporting the growth and development of our city’s established and emerging industries,” Cr Raven said.

Division 12 Councillor Karen Murphy said bringing schools and businesses together helped to build relationships and instil confidence in school leavers.

“Life after school can be daunting but events like these give young people the courage to pursue achievable goals in their own backyards,” Cr Murphy said.

The Bridge to Business event was coordinated by Logan Office of Economic Development and the Enable Coalition of Schools.

Local job seekers can find employment opportunities on loganjobs.com.au.

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