30/09/2009 - Launch of What Employers Want

Local Employers Hit the Limelight!

On Wednesday night Central West NSW Youth Transition Services Inc rolled out the red carpet for the premiere of their new documentary “What Employers Want”. Staring a host of local employers this resource informs young people of the key employability skills and looks at why they have become so highly valued in our contemporary workplace.

So what are these employability skills everyone’s talking about? And how can young people develop these skills whilst still at school? The skill set we’re talking about covers communication, teamwork, initiative, problem solving, time management, technology, lifelong learning and self management. To help young people get a broad understanding of these skills across a range of industries Career Transition Coordinator Karen Golland spoke with key employers from hospitality, personal services, mining, retail, manufacturing, building, printing and graphic design. She asked why these skills were important in their workplace and how young people could start building their skill base right now.

The resulting documentary combines great career advice with a rare look into the working world of the regions key employers. We see visions of Cadia Valley Mine from Peter Woolley’s moving car; Heath Smith walking through Cobblestone Lane Restaurant; young apprentices on site at Hines Construction; Michael Manners stirring his gourmet pot; salesmen at work at Rosconi Mazda and Ross McDonald delivering food to customers at The Hub Espresso Bar and Eatery.

“It’s been great to work on a project that reflects our region’s diversity and celebrates our local talent. “What Employers Want” showcases large international companies such as Thales Group Australia right through to successful local businesses such Rapunzel’s Hair Castle. Our region is also lucky to have the professional services of filmmaker Tracy Sorensen and sound engineer Tim Roebuck on hand to create this documentary.” 

Central West NSW Youth Transition Services Inc produced this career resource as part of their Career Transition Services programme. The package, complete with a set of classroom resources, will be delivered free to high schools in the Central West region. If you would like to find out more about career transition programmes in your area, or would like information on how you can help assist young people in their transition from school to work, please contact the CWYTS Bathurst office on 02 6331 9911.