Over 1,200 young people attended the annual Sutherland Shire Apprenticeship Fair at Sutherland Entertainment Centre, with local employers reporting strong interest in skilled trades amid ongoing labour shortages.

The event, organised by Sutherland Shire Council in partnership with local industry groups, featured 45 employers offering apprenticeships and traineeships across construction, automotive, electrical, hospitality, and healthcare sectors.

“The turnout exceeded our expectations,” said council’s youth services coordinator Jennifer Walsh. “Young people are clearly interested in career pathways that don’t require university. And employers are desperate for apprentices.”

Employer Perspectives

Local businesses described the fair as crucial for addressing skills shortages that have hampered growth.

Tony Papadopoulos, who runs a plumbing business based in Jannali, has been unable to find apprentices through traditional channels. “I’ve had ads up for six months with barely any responses. Today I collected 30 applications. This is exactly what we needed.”

Automotive workshop owner Michelle Chen from Caringbah echoed the sentiment. “Young people don’t always know what opportunities exist in trades. When they see the actual work, the equipment, hear about the pay and career progression, their eyes light up.”

Several employers conducted on-the-spot interviews, with some offering positions subject to reference checks.

Student Interest

Attendees ranged from Year 10 students exploring future options to recent school leavers seeking alternatives to university.

Kirrawee resident Josh Thompson, 17, came specifically interested in electrical work. “My uncle’s an electrician and he loves it. Good money, always busy, working with your hands. I don’t want to sit at a desk all day.”

His friend Sarah Morrison was less certain about direction but valued the exposure. “I’m looking at everything. I didn’t even know you could do apprenticeships in some of these fields. It’s opened my eyes.”

Parents also attended in significant numbers, many accompanying their children to learn about trade pathways they hadn’t previously considered.

Beyond Traditional Trades

While construction and automotive trades drew the largest crowds, emerging opportunities also attracted interest.

Several employers discussed technology integration in traditional trades, including drones in construction, AI in automotive diagnostics, and digital systems in healthcare. The message was clear: modern trades increasingly require technology skills alongside manual expertise.

“Being a sparkie today isn’t what it was 20 years ago,” explained electrician Jenny Wong. “Smart homes, solar systems, EV chargers. You need to understand technology. It makes the work more interesting, not less.”

This shift toward technology-integrated trades reflects broader workforce development trends reshaping how Australians train for careers.

Support Services

The fair also featured support services including TAFE information, apprenticeship network advisors, and career counsellors. Representatives explained pathways, support available during apprenticeships, and how to navigate the application process.

Financial information proved popular, with many attendees surprised to learn about earning potential in skilled trades. Qualified tradespeople in high-demand fields often earn salaries comparable to or exceeding university graduates.

Next Steps

Council plans to host follow-up events throughout the year, including workshops on application writing and interview skills. Employers who participated will receive compiled expressions of interest to pursue promising candidates.

“This is just the beginning of the conversation,” Walsh noted. “Our goal is matching Shire young people with Shire businesses. It strengthens the whole community when local kids build careers locally.”

The 2026 Apprenticeship Fair is tentatively scheduled for January, with planning to begin mid-year.