More than 10,000 students from 140 schools are set to explore career pathways at the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo at the Adelaide Showground, as South Australia continues to focus on building a larger pipeline of skilled workers for key industries.
The event brings together more than 200 organisations and employers, with a strong emphasis on vocational training and employment opportunities linked to major infrastructure, defence and housing projects across the state. Students attending will be able to speak directly with industry representatives and training providers about roles, qualifications and entry points into different sectors.
The expo comes alongside a steady rise in vocational training participation, with TAFE SA reporting a 39 per cent increase in apprentice and trainee enrolments during the Malinauskas Government’s first term. Enrolments have grown from 6,124 in 2021–22 to 8,529 in 2024–25.
School-based pathways are also expanding, with more than 5,200 public school students beginning a vocational education qualification through the Flexible Industry Program in 2025. The program is designed to allow students to gain industry skills while still completing their schooling, with a focus on early entry into apprenticeships and traineeships.
TAFE SA will have a prominent role at the expo, showcasing a new student-built house frame highlighting trades such as carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, bricklaying, painting, and glass and glazing. A virtual reality welding simulator will also be available, aimed at giving students a closer look at engineering and welding careers in an interactive setting.
The expo runs until Saturday and will also highlight school-based vocational options and other education-to-employment pathways through the Department for Education’s Student Pathways and Careers Hub. Visitors will hear from current students about their experiences and how they moved into training and work.
Applications are now open for 2027 intakes at technical colleges located in Findon, Modbury Heights, Tonsley, Port Augusta and the Limestone Coast.
South Australia’s focus on vocational training comes as projections indicate the state will require around 80,000 vocational education and training qualifications over the next five years, driven by demand across construction, infrastructure and essential services.
The State Government has backed the sector with a series of measures, including the $2.3 billion National Skills Agreement, Fee-Free TAFE, and the development of five technical colleges, with a further three under construction. Additional funding has also been directed towards training providers aimed at addressing ongoing skills shortages.
Skills and Training Minister Lucy Hood said the expo highlights the range of pathways available to young people outside of traditional university routes.
“There are more opportunities than ever for young South Australians and this event highlights the many paths they can take to get the best possible start to their career,” she said.
“Connecting with industry, hearing from our tech colleges and gaining hands-on insights helps students uncover a new passion and engage in sectors of growing demand.”
She said vocational education continues to play an important role in meeting workforce needs across the state.
“It’s important to show young people they don’t need to go to university to excel in their future career while building a skilled workforce to deliver on our ambitious infrastructure and housing projects,” she said.
TAFE SA Chief Executive Adam Kilvert said the organisation is focusing on providing practical, accessible information to students and jobseekers.
“TAFE SA has a strong presence at the expo which includes a variety of interactive activities, plus we will have our experts on hand to provide all the latest information and answer questions on qualifications, career paths and employment opportunities,” he said.
“There is strong demand for skilled workers in our state and we’re focused on delivering sought after skills and knowledge, whether it’s to a school student looking for a meaningful employment pathway, or existing workers seeking new training options.”
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