What do you want to be when you grow up?

If there’s anything a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis have shown us, it’s that this question needs a carefully considered answer.

To help young people recognise in-demand careers and find the path that is right for them, Goulburn Murray Local Learning and Employment Network is hosting two industry forums for them and their parents.

The Allied Health Futures Forum and Engineering Futures Forum will be held on Wednesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 28, respectively, at Shepparton’s GV Hotel.

The Allied Health Futures Forum will feature more than 20 exhibitors, showcasing a variety of allied health disciplines, including physiotherapy, speech pathology, optometry and occupational therapy, among others.

Several local businesses displaying the diversity within engineering, from careers in civil, structural, electrical and other areas, will be at the second forum, the Engineering Futures Forum.

The events will provide an opportunity for secondary students, parents and educators to engage with local professionals and hear what it’s really like to work in these industries.

GMLLEN is hosting the forums after a successful first Allied Health Forum last year attracted lots of positive feedback.

“My daughter and I attended, and it was a fantastic way for her to speak to professionals with their great interactive displays, then look at the universities,” parent Erica Hawke, who attended the 2024 event, said.

“RMIT was great to chat to and opened up pathways we hadn’t explored.”

Multiple universities will be at both forums with representatives to explain the pathways that will get students into the careers that interest them, whether it’s information on prerequisite subjects, entry requirements or different course options.

The conversation-driven events are designed to give young people opportunities to ask questions, get advice and understand the day-to-day realities of different jobs, whether they’re yet to or have decided on a career path.

The Goulburn Murray Local Jobs Program and the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria are supporting the events.

To register for the Engineering Futures Forum: tinyurl.com/5xbjttr9

To register for the Allied Health Futures Forum: tinyurl.com/4epcnkzt

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Wednesday, 1st July 2026

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