More than 1600 high school students from the New England region converged on the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre for the Northwest Regional Careers Expo.

The event was coordinated by the Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light and saw about 70 vendors set up stalls to encourage and inspire senior students.

With interactive and hands-on displays, students were able to get a taste of future career and study options with TAFE New England, the University of Newcastle and Southern Cross University among those on the ground to engage with the soon-to-be school leavers.

Local businesses including Challenge Community Services, the Tamworth Aero Club Flying School and Tamworth Regional Council were also on hand to inspire career paths close to home.

Event coordinator Marina Lawrence said she was pleased with the turn out for the event which is now in its 25^th year.

“We’re expecting over 1600 students to come through over the two sessions,” she said.

“Last year the event was ran by JobLink Plus, this year it was handed back to Rotary and we’ve solely ran it. We’ve had quite a few new exhibitors this year, and we’ve managed to keep the same amount as last year and get new ones aswell. We’d like to thank the exhibitors and the schools for supporting us.”