Job seekers and employers across the New England are set to come together later this month, with the first-ever BEST Employment Armidale Jobs Expo promising to open doors, spark conversations and strengthen the region’s workforce. The event will take place on Thursday, 30 April from 10 am to 2 pm at the Armidale City Bowling Club, bringing a wide cross-section of industries under one roof for a day focused on real opportunities and meaningful connections.
For BEST Employment Business Development Manager Shelley Beard, the idea behind the expo is simple but powerful: “It’s pretty much about connecting local people with real job opportunities and bringing employers and the community together in one place.”
While jobs expos are not new in metropolitan areas, this marks the first event of its kind for BEST Employment in Armidale – a region where demand for workers is growing rapidly across multiple sectors. Early interest suggests the concept has struck a chord, with around two dozen employers already signed on and more expected in the lead-up.
“At the moment we’re sitting at around 24,” Beard said. “We’re looking, conservatively, at around 20 in case something happens, but potentially up to 30. It’s a fantastic response from the community and from businesses wanting to be involved.”
What sets the Armidale Jobs Expo apart is the sheer diversity of industries represented. Rather than being dominated by a single sector, the event will showcase opportunities ranging from essential services through to retail and community organisations.
“We’ve got such a broad range,” Ms Beard explained. “From the Australian Defence Force, police and fire brigades through to New England Health, Aboriginal organisations, Coles and local businesses. There’s just so many different industries involved.”
That breadth reflects the reality of the regional job market, where opportunities exist across a wide spectrum of roles and skill levels. It also reinforces one of the key messages BEST Employment is keen to share: that regional areas like Armidale are far from short on work.
“There absolutely is plenty of work,” Ms Beard said. “We receive quite a few vacancies for positions regularly. There are gaps across quite a few different industries where they’re really struggling to get employment.”
Those gaps span everything from entry-level labour roles through to highly skilled positions, driven in part by major developments and population changes in the region. Beard pointed to the growing renewable energy sector as one example, noting the significant workforce required to support future projects.
“At the same time, you’ve got everything from farms through to education and large organisations,” she said. “There’s so many different employers reaching out who are struggling to find the people they need.”
BEST Employment plays a key role in bridging that gap. With a network of around 32 locations across the New England North West and into the Far West Orana, the organisation works closely with both job seekers and employers to create sustainable employment outcomes.
For Beard, who recently stepped into the role after working in business development for TAFE, the move has been both rewarding and eye-opening.
“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “It gives me the opportunity to help and support people to get into employment within their local communities.”
That support extends well beyond simply matching candidates with vacancies. BEST Employment also focuses on building confidence, providing training and addressing practical barriers that might otherwise prevent people from entering the workforce.
“We work really closely with our customers to make sure they have the right skills,” Ms Beard said. “That might be training, education, or even things like appropriate clothing for interviews, those essential steps to help them become job-ready.”
The organisation is also working with increasingly diverse communities, including migrants and people from non-English speaking backgrounds, helping them build the skills needed to thrive in the local workforce.
“They’re very keen to work,” Ms Beard said. “It’s about making sure we match them with the right opportunities and support them with things like language and training so they can succeed.”
For job seekers, the upcoming expo offers a rare chance to engage directly with employers in a relaxed, face-to-face setting – something Ms Beard believes can be far more effective than traditional application processes.
“It’s really about getting that connection,” she said. “Speaking directly with employers, asking questions, and exploring different career options.”
Attendees are encouraged to come prepared, but not intimidated. “If they have a resume, bring it along,” she advised. “It’s a great way to promote themselves and show they’re keen to work.”
However, she emphasised that the event is just as much about exploration as it is about immediate outcomes. “It allows people to move around, have conversations and maybe even have an informal interview on the spot.”
In some cases, those conversations could lead directly to employment – an outcome that benefits not only individuals, but the broader community.
“It’s about strengthening that local workforce and supporting our community,” Beard said. “You never know what opportunities might come from it.”
Importantly, the event is open to all job seekers, with no registration required. Attendees can simply turn up on the day, meet employers, and take advantage of everything on offer, including a free barbecue.
With strong early interest from both businesses and the community, the Armidale Jobs Expo is shaping up as a significant new addition to the region’s employment landscape. And if the response so far is anything to go by, it may well be the first of many.
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