Hundreds of school students from across the Eyre Peninsula took part in an immersive career exploration event in Port Lincoln, designed to inspire future pathways in education, training and local industry.

Held over three days earlier this month, the Explore event engaged 490 Year 9 and 10 students from 14 schools, delivering 205 sessions across the city.

A collaboration between Uni Hub Spencer Gulf, the Department for Education, Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula, the Local Jobs Program, and the Eyre and Far North Local Health Network, the event aimed to expose students to real-world career possibilities through hands-on experiences and industry interaction.

Uni Hub Spencer Gulf’s Port Lincoln University Centre Manager Cate Wuttke said Explore was designed to offer more than just career advice—it brought learning into the real world.

“From stepping inside local workplaces to trying out industry-specific activities, students had the chance to see what future careers might look like in their own region,” Cate said.

“Explore is all about sparking curiosity and helping students visualise their own path forward. “We want them to feel empowered and excited—not just about finishing school, but about the possibilities that come after it.”

The packed program included industry tours, skill-building workshops, and interactive activities across sectors such as health, aquaculture, trades, agriculture, hospitality, and community services.

“Many of the sessions were deliberately small to ensure students could ask questions, get hands-on and really connect with the experience,” Cate explained. “It’s those authentic, personal encounters that often have the biggest impact.”

Cate said the event also encouraged students to think broadly about their next steps and engage meaningfully with both employers and education providers.

“One of the great strengths of Explore is that it brings different parts of our community together—schools, industry, training organisations—all working towards the same goal: helping young people thrive,” she said.

“Events like Explore are only possible thanks to strong collaboration across government, education and industry,” she added. “It’s a shared investment in the future of our region.”