South West hosts three-day job fair across Manjimup, Bridgetown and Nannup

Nearly 100 people across three lower South West towns seized the opportunity to meet with representatives from a dozen of WA’s biggest mining companies in a recent job fair. The event was originally planned in February by the Resources Industry Training Council in conjunction with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy to allow people looking at careers in the booming industry to meet with potential employers face-to-face. Companies which had representatives at the job fairs held in Bridgetown, Manjimup and Nannup included Talison Lithium, Rio Tinto, Byrnecut and Fenner Dunlop. Bridgetown had their day in the Main Hall on Thursday while the Manjimup Country Club and the Nannup Recreation and Community Centre hosted the mining representatives on Friday and Saturday, respectively. CME South West regional officer Jason Mennell said there was positive feedback from both potential employees and prospective employers. “There were about 100 residents through the doors over the three days with a wide diversity of people ranging from the workforce of the future to people currently employed in other industries, to retirees considering a return to the workplace,” he said. “It was an excellent opportunity for recruiters to meet prospective employees face-to-face while detailing the variety of jobs available in the industry.” Mr Mennell said the fair garnered such a reaction from mining representatives that both the RITC and the CME would explore the likelihood of hosting another jobs showcase, but expanded to a greater South West audience. “I think some of the residents were surprised by the very real prospect of being able to work in a fulfilling and thriving industry while being able to carry on living in — and contributing to — their local communities,” he said. “Consideration is being given to another jobs showcase that could be expanded to other parts of the South West.” Mr Mennell said the jobs fair allowed local people in the Southern Forests regions to see how viable a career in the resources sector would be, especially given the growth of Busselton Airport as a major travel hub.