Seymour Expo promotes pathways for all abilities

There comes a time when every young person needs to look forward, no matter their ability.

In the heart of Seymour, an important expo recently sparked discussions between students and their families on what the future holds.

Named the All Abilities Pathways Expo, the event on Thursday, September 18 was the result of a collaboration between Seymour College’s Inclusive Education program and Our Place.

The Seymour Family and Children’s Centre at the college’s campus was packed with local service providers, and even some organisations that had employment and volunteering opportunities on offer for attendees.

Our Place Seymour community facilitator Deb Kaak, who was among the team which made the day a possibility, said she was grateful to all the organisations who participated.

“I would like to thank everybody for being willing to come out and just be available to families, showing them what they can offer,” Ms Kaak said.

“People don’t know what they don’t know, so it’s important for them to realise what is available here in town.

“I’m also so excited to have (organisations) who have been willing to come and be part of employment or work placement, like Gnarly Neighbours and the Seymour Fire Brigade.”

Among the lengthy list of attendees were representatives from Nexus Primary Health, Seymour Health, Services Australia, Yooralla, CVGT Employment and Riding for the Disabled Australia.

Seymour Health director of people and culture Jason King said it was wonderful for the organisation to be part of the event for the first time.

“It’s a really important event to support the community, which opens pathways for people in our community, especially young people,” he said.

“From our perspective, as a large employer and one of the major employers in town, we’re very proud to participate.

“There’s a dual benefit here: as we have conversations with attendees — and young people in particular — about their career prospects and what they might be thinking about while they’re at school, or when they’re leaving school, we can discuss how, as an employer, we might be able to provide opportunities to them; which in turn builds upon us having a workforce that both reflects the community we serve and is sustained locally.”

Jason King, Seymour Health Director of People and Culture

Aside from providing young people with potential future pathways, the expo also offered a valuable opportunity for local organisations to network.

“It’s nice to be in an environment where everyone’s looking for something relating to disability services,” Riding for the Disabled Australia Seymour branch secretary Sue Cross said.

“We’ve exchanged brochures with the different providers, and I’m sure we’ll get some clients out of those interactions.”

Seymour College assistant principal Kristie Luckman said the expo was a success.

“It’s been great to see the services are supporting our families and students, and that they see the importance of coming to an event like this,” Ms Luckman said.

“It’s not just networking with each other, but networking with the broader community and the families, and the staff that I work with as well.”

This article originally appeared in The Seymour Telegraph – Expo promotes pathways for all abilities