Forestry careers showcased at 2023 Dunedin EXPO

The Southern Wood Council took two adjacent stands at the Dunedin town hall on Wednesday 28 June 2023 to push the forestry careers message to students. It was coordinated by Vickie Humphries from Wood is Good and help on the day, talking to the many students coming through, came through the enthusiastic efforts of Jade Phillips and Drew Gillies, Wenita Forest Products, Bridget de Vries, Forest Management, Josh Hurring, Mike Hurring Logging, Ryan Adams, Peak Geospatial and Jonathan Brownjohn, Johnson Forestry Services.

The many up-to-date careers and training resources used on the day were co-ordinated and supplied through the Forest Owners Association the SWC. Thanks to all who helped out. Feedback from Vickie and from those on the stand was overwhelmingly positive – a lot of foot traffic, a lot of interest and a lot of information picked up by those attending.

Participating Schools. A wide cross section of secondary schools from across the region attended the Expo including; Lawrence Area School, Queens High School, East Otago High School, Taieri College, St Hild’s Collegiate, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Otepoti, Trinity Catholic College, Tokomairiro High School, Otago Girls High School, Columba College, Kings High School, The Catlins Area School, Kaikorai Valley College, Roxburgh Area School, Maniototo Area School, Bayfield High School, South Otago High School, Otago Boys High School, East Otago High School, Dunstan High School and, YouthGrow.

Wood is Good School visits. Two visits to coincide with the Careers Expo were made by Vickie whilst down for the EXPO to talk to younger students on safety around log trucks and to talk more about forestry and what it means to them and the local community. A visit to Waikouaiti School occurred on Tuesday 27 June with input from Wenita Forest Products and Dynes Transport and a Kaitangata School visit ran on Thursday 29 June with assistance from City Forests and East Coast Freighters.