Training and Skills Fair - Central Victoria

Next date: Wednesday, 02 September 2026 | 10:00 AM to 02:00 PM

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This event brings together more than 30 exhibitors under one roof at the Castlemaine Town Hall. In a single morning, you can speak directly with training providers, employers, employment services, and community organisations working across our region.

Discover training and skill development pathways in:

Health and Care - including aged care, disability, community health, and NDIS pathways.
Construction and Trades - apprenticeships, local employers, and industry training.
Courses and Study - short courses, vocational qualifications, TAFE, and university pathways.
Volunteering - how to develop skills, get involved and give back to your community.

Plus:

Business Victoria's Business Bus - providing 1:1 advice and support for small businesses through bookable 45-minute sessions with a business advisor. Book a Small Business Bus session.

After the lunch break, head to one of the interactive information sessions on offer - transitioning from school to work and training, return to study and training, pathways into vocational education and training. See the list of exhibitors below.

Zone 1: Career guidance and support

Get free 1-on-1 advice, explore study grants, and access tailored support at any stage of life.

APM – Career Transition Assistance
Practical assistance for people aged 45+ to gain current skills to find and keep a job.

are-able
Explore inclusive employment pathways and personalised employment support.

Australian Careers Consortium
Career guidance and pathway planning support for all ages.

Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC)
Jobs, training and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.

Castlemaine SES (State Emergency Service)
Explore volunteering as a pathway to nationally accredited training in emergency response, specialised skills and leadership.

Community Bank Maldon & District
Find out about scholarships supporting local high school, TAFE, tertiary and trainee-apprentice students facing challenges.

Volunteering Loddon Mallee
Explore volunteering as a pathway into paid employment and test-run a career before you commit.

Zone 2: Apprenticeships and trades

Discover apprenticeships, traineeships and hands-on pathways into skilled work.

Australian Industry Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre
Connecting and supporting apprentices, training and industry for lifelong success.

CVGT Employment
Start an apprenticeship or traineeship with a supported employer.

Trade Institute of Victoria (TIV)
Talk to the Trade Institute of Victoria course advisors to understand your options and choose the right building and construction course for your goals.

Westvic Staffing Solutions
Employing and managing apprentices, trainees and labour hire staff across the Central Victoria region.

Zone 3: Earn while you learn

Meet employers offering real life careers where you can earn while you learn.

ADF Careers
Visit ADF Careers and speak with current serving members about the available opportunities in the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Ambulance Victoria
Talk to Ambulance Victoria about paramedic and patient transport careers, plus regional volunteering roles like CERT and Community Officers.

Department of Justice and Community Safety
Talk to the Department of Justice and Community Safety about career opportunities across corrections, youth justice, community safety and entry‑level pathways.

Dhelkaya Health
Diverse careers, traineeships and learning pathways in healthcare and beyond, as well as accredited training delivered through our onsite Learning Hub in Castlemaine.

Forest Fire Management Victoria
Talk to FFMVic about seasonal and ongoing careers in firefighting, emergency response, forest management and public land operations, with training and development provided.

GAME Traffic & Contracting
Explore GAME career opportunities across their depots and discover how to become qualified, compliant, and ready to join their growing traffic management team.

Mount Alexander Shire Council
Discover in-demand careers in aged care, planning, engineering, finance, and community services.

Victoria Police
Talk to Victoria Police about country policing careers, including financial incentives, allowances, training and choosing the right location.

Zone 4: Train and get qualified

Find the right course, get certified for high-demand jobs, or step into higher education.

Academy Training & Assessment
Vocational training to help young people build skills and confidence.

Australian Institute of Vocational Development
Regional training in civil construction and traffic control/management.

Bounce Global
Build confidence, leadership, and essential workplace skills with Bounce Global’s science-backed coaching.

Castlemaine Community House
Discover Learn Local courses supporting employment, digital and life skills.

Duke Education
Accessible, friendly and supportive way for participants to study business, community services, tourism, hospitality, retail, supply chain and IT.

genU Training
Graduate job-ready with genU Training’s qualifications in aged care, disability, mental health, and community services.

IVET Group
Making VET delivery simple for secondary schools and business in your area.

La Trobe University
Explore university options for studying online or close to home and talk to us about courses, pathways and what your next step could look like.

Letizia’s Training & Development
Practical, job-ready training to build skills, confidence and opportunities across hospitality, first aid, construction and workplace skills.

Licences4Work
Get job-ready with tickets including White Card, Forklift, First Aid and Traffic Control.

Sandhurst 4WD Club
Accredited 4WD driver training and volunteering opportunities alongside a shared love of the outdoors.

Skills and Jobs Centre - Bendigo TAFE
The Skills and Jobs Centre offers free, independent career and training advice. Bendigo TAFE staff can talk you through TAFE courses and qualifications.

Zone 5: Start a business

Get the advice, skills and support to turn your skills, passion or idea into an opportunity.

Asuria
Thinking of starting a business or already running one? Talk to Asuria about the support available.

Small Business Bus
Free, tailored advice from Business Victoria to start, run or grow your business, with expert guidance and practical resources.

Startup Central Victoria
Talk to StartUp Central Victoria for programs, mentoring, and events to bring your business idea to life, plus support navigating workplace psychological health regulations.

On the day

9.45am - Venue opens
10:00am – 4:00pm - Business Victoria's Business Bus with 45-minute individual business advice sessions available. Book these HERE
10:00am – 12:00pm - Training & skills expo (free entry, come and go as you like)
12:00pm – 12:30pm - Break for lunch
12:30pm – 2:00pm - Interactive information sessions:
12:30pm: Transitioning from school to work and training
12:30pm: Return to study and training
1:15pm: Pathways into vocational education and training

Good to know

Free entry - no cost to attend
Free parking nearby
Castlemaine Railway Station 7 mins walk
Accessible venue
Workshops are free but some are run in parallel

Who should come?

This event is for anyone at a crossroads - school leavers weighing up their options, job seekers ready for a fresh start, parents returning to the workforce, people exploring retraining, and anyone curious about what's available right here in Central Victoria.

Book a business bus advice session

Brought to you by: Mount Alexander Shire Council, Castlemaine Community House, Workforce Australia, Asuria, Axis Employment and Castlemaine Mail.