By Gwenda Daud
For young people finding careers information in the Algarve is difficult. So when a group of companies, called INFO AT YOUR DOOR who aim to bring information closer to the local community, suggested they try to reach students with a Careers Fair, the idea began to materialise.In the UK, these types of events happen regularly but involve an exceptional amount of work from the organisers… But from little acorns grow great oaks.
With no availability of budget, the Hotel Sheraton Pine Cliffs generously filled the void and offered a prestigious large room and a venue free of charge for an afternoon. Contacting companies, individuals and local training establishments began and from a basic concept of having around 30 representatives, the event moved to having over 50 career areas to show to the students. These individuals and employers (many of whom were Portuguese) gave up their own time willingly to attend and drove the whole affair forward.
The day of the event arrived, the sun shone and the delegates arrived – there were queues waiting to enter! The students began to participate and the response from each side was magnificent. The whole fair was buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
Jonnie Pratt from restaurant Uniko took his chef’s hat off to the organisers, he left with a bounce in his step feeling that he had motivated some young people. The head of São Lourenço International School commented: “The atmosphere was friendly and the representatives well informed and eager to speak to everyone. Students are still talking about it!”
Young people came along, some with their parents, to talk to the delegates who offered not only their own experience but many had taken the trouble to research the official current information from the internet. “The response of the students was rewarding and the connection to the professions was natural and healthy,” said Tiago from Fisio Physiotherapy Unit in São Brás.
Most of the delegates appreciated the enthusiasm of the teenagers of today, and saw that they do have potential. Consul Clive Jewell from the British Consulate representing Diplomatic Service was impressed by the “enthusiasm and interest shown by the students as well as their parents”.
Students attended not only from international schools in the Algarve but also local students from Portuguese schools in the Albufeira region, as there has never been anything similar in the Algarve. This has prompted plans to include all nationalities and offer more for all young people. Joana, daughter of Vicki Good from Holiday Inn Algarve, Armação de Pêra, who attends Silves Secondary School thought it was really worthwhile and was delighted with the interaction and all the information that she received.
The Migration Advisory Committee has a list of vacancies for the EU;electronic engineers, geophysicists, aerospace stress engineers, operating theatre nurses, mechanical engineers in the oil and gas industries, tunnelling engineers, secondary teachers of mathematics, chemistry and physics, high integrity pipe welders, compositing artists for film, TV and games, clinical neurophysiologists, railway signal engineers and chefs (skilled). These opportunities need to be embraced through researched by the up and coming youth of the Algarve.
Gwenda Daud (algarvecareers@gmail.com) who works as a professional Careers Advisor in Portugal would like to thank all who participated and she appreciates the contribute to society byInfo At Your Door (IBEX, Currency Direct and Finesco) who continue to be committed to holding events for the benefit of the community all over southern Portugal.
