Career guidance goes beyond helping students choose what to study. Schools also need to introduce them to industries and job opportunities they may not know exist.
Careers platform Anyway, formerly Year13, aims to make that easier with Anyway Expos, a series of virtual events combining industry information, interactive learning and workplace experiences.
The launch comes amid concerns about students’ confidence in their post-school futures. According to figures cited by Anyway, 70% of young people experience anxiety about life after school, while 81% resist traditional advertising.
Bringing industry experiences into career education
Each virtual expo runs for eight weeks, with new industry themes introduced fortnightly.
Students can compare occupations using information about median salaries, employment growth, qualifications and career progression. Interactive modules and articles offer further insight into the skills involved.
The expos will also feature competitions offering workplace experiences, including opportunities to shadow executives and industry leaders, giving students a closer look at different occupations.
The initiative builds on Anyway’s existing work with Australian schools. The company reports reaching more than 53% of Generation Z nationally and working with 48% of high schools.
“Anyway is solving a critical challenge for young people by making career exploration genuinely engaging and personalised. By bringing industry closer to the classroom, we are allowing young people to step directly into real-world roles, demystifying career pathways and empowering every young person to find their thing,” Anyway managing director Laura Scott said.
The development follows growing attention to career guidance and school-to-work transitions, particularly as students navigate changing qualification requirements and employment opportunities.
Cyber security leads rollout into emerging industries
The first expo focuses on cyber security, launching during October’s Cyber Security Awareness Month. It introduces students to software security through interactive activities demonstrating aspects of working in the field.
The focus reflects the growing importance of digital skills and ongoing discussions about how technology education can better prepare students for future careers.
Six more expos will follow, covering mental health, hospitality, music, retail, travel and artificial intelligence.
Each will explore different occupations, from supply chain logistics, e-commerce and brand strategy in retail to music production and sound engineering. The AI expo will introduce machine learning and data engineering.
Together, the programs aim to broaden students’ understanding of career opportunities beyond familiar occupations, as career education in Australian schools continues to attract attention.
Independent resources, including Jobs and Skills Australia’s occupation and industry profiles, also provide additional information on employment prospects, earnings and workforce trends.