Over 3,000 students will head to the Lismore Showgrounds today as part of the 2025 Connect Northern Rivers Careers Expo.

The free event is not just open to students; Careers Expo is open to everyone, regardless of age, seeking job opportunities, career advice, or further study.

The event will feature a job vacancy board sponsored by MEGT, two pavilions packed with large and small businesses offering jobs, apprenticeships, traineeship positions and numerous universities from across Australia.

Expo Partners, TAFE NSW, and CBHG Building t/a Greg Clark Building will sponsor the “Try a Trade” pavilion, providing hands-on vocational experiences in fields such as Aviation, Early Childhood, Hair & Beauty, Construction, Electrotechnology, Business and Finance, Career Pathways and Employability Skills, Animal Care and Management, Automotive, Nursing, Fitness and Hospitality.

Participants include Southern Cross University (an Expo partner), SAE University College (Performance Stage Sponsor), various local councils, Australian Defence Force Careers (Expo Partner), Essential Energy, Zeal Futures, McGregor Gourlay Agricultural Services, Frizelle Sunshine Automotive, multiple universities, Home of the Arts (HOTA), headspace & Social Futures (our Expo Sponsor), NSWPF, Sunshine Sugar, The Casino Food Company, Summer Camp USA, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Students of the World, Qld Police and many more.

Highlights include Defence Force vehicles, simulators, animals, speedway cars, go-karts, SCU’s electric kombi van and solar Sunflower, Ready Steady Cook competitions, student performances from six schools, CPR demonstrations, fancy cars from Frizelle’s, food and coffee vans, Virtual Reality experiences and the “Try a Trade” activities.

Organisers are excited to introduce our First Nations' Enterprise Space this year, showcasing local Indigenous employers and enterprises, as well as opportunities and pathways for Indigenous students.

North Coast Community College is excited to welcome the 2025 North Coast Junior Barista Championship back to the Expo for another spectacular year. The third annual event will bring together talented students from across the Northern Rivers to showcase their exceptional barista skills.

There will be live music from the incredible Bodhi Acton, and join us in celebrating community, creativity, and talent!

For more information, contact Connect Northern Rivers at 1300 183 352 or Ingrid Johansen at 0447 185 428.