27 February 2008

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

The big names in business and industry gather at Victoria University's Footscray Park Campus on Friday, March 7 for the University's annual Careers Fair.

Media are welcome to attend

VU's Judie Kay, who heads the employment and careers service, said: "Demand for our graduates is increasing every year. More than 70 exhibitors are attending the Careers Fair specifically to talk to our students and we are fully booked out."

Many of the organisations attending do business in Melbourne's west, including Aldi Stores; BlueScope Steel; City West Water; Europcar; GM Holden and VicRoads. Others, such as Ernst & Young; National Australia Bank; Intercontinental Hotels Group and the RACV, travel from across Melbourne and even interstate.

Anna Heywood, Graduate Management Consultant for National Australia Bank, is a veteran of VU Careers Fairs. "The Careers Fair is an excellent opportunity for us to come out to VU and meet students face-to-face", she said.

"We always bring our graduates from across the business so that the students can talk to people who were out there, looking for roles, just a few months ago. Students can learn from them about what we have to offer, our programs, and how to go about applying."

Jane Burrows, Industry and Community Liaison Officer at VU's careers service, said many industries were currently experiencing an acute labour shortage. "It's a serious problem in a lot of areas, such as IT and engineering."

"VU runs courses covering a huge choice of disciplines and offers the full range of qualifications. We've got something for everyone and that's why more and more employers are coming to us to find staff."

She said the Careers Fair was a great opportunity for students to meet their future boss but there are other ways for employers to connect with VU graduates.

"Those companies that don't have the resources to attend a Careers Fair can still recruit our students. We've got plenty of options for companies offering full-time, part-time, casual or vacation work - even traineeships and work experience."

Where: Victoria University, Basketball Courts, Building L, Footscray Park Campus,
Cnr Ballarat and Geelong Rds, Footscray.
Time: 11.00 am - 2.00 pm
When: Friday 7 March 2008.

Further Information: Jane Burrows, Industry and Community Liaison Officer, VU,
Ph: (03) 9919 4064; email:jane.burrows@vu.edu.au

Media Contact: Ms Christine White, Media Manager,
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 4322; mobile: 0434 602 884