In the market for jobs

By Lia Bichel
THE Dandenong Market will transform into a market for jobs later this month, catering for thousands of job seekers in the City of Greater Dandenong.
The ‘Keep Australia Working’ Centrelink’s Jobs Expo will boast over 80 exhibitors, feature television personality Scott Cam as a guest speaker, and is expected to draw a crowd of up to 3000 job seekers, Centrelink’s Dandenong Jobs Expo Co-ordinator Lisa Nelson said.
The expo will be a one-stop jobs supermarket where job seekers and employers can engage in person.
“It’ll be about building relationships, seeing the qualities in people first-hand and gauging what both employers and job seekers have to offer one another,” Ms Nelson said.
“No sending your resume over the internet here, this expo’s about real job opportunities right now on the day.”
Ms Nelson said there had been nine similar expos held in Australia so far, and as a result, more than 3000 job seekers were now engaged with employers.
“And we’re expecting the same positive outcomes from the expo here in Dandenong,” she said.
City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said this event would mark the first time the new general merchandise hall would be used to host an event outside of market trading hours.
“What better way to showcase our new venue than with a jobs market at the market?” he said.
“I believe this jobs expo is just what Melbourne’s south east region needs to shake-off the effects of the GFC. It’ll provide real job opportunities for local people.”
Ms Nelson said she encouraged everyone to check out the free event, bring a one-page resume, have a chat with the exhibitor and meet Scott Cam, Australia’s favourite ‘chippie’ and television personality, who will be the jobs expo ambassador and guest speaker MC on the day.
“Aside from the exhibitors and the jobs, we’ll have information seminars and a super sausage sizzle,” she said.
The Centrelink jobs expo will be held at the general merchandise hall, Dandenong Market on 15 April from 10am until 3pm.