Kangan Institute will be holding its inaugural Skills Recognition - North West Expo on 31st August and 1st September at the Hume Global Learning Centre.

Skills Recognition is a time and cost effective approach to getting certified; the process formally assesses an individual's existing skills so applicants only need to undertake certain units or training - if needed at all - to obtain a qualification.

Expo attendees will have an opportunity to meet our experts across a wide range of industry areas and find out how their individual skills and experience can be credited towards a qualification.

Applications for Skills Recognition are currently free of charge at Kangan Institute for applicants eligible for government-subsidised training. Wendy Schwedes, manager of Skills Recognition Centre at Kangan Institute, says that the expo aims to up-skill Melbourne's North West region and increase the employment prospects of the community as a whole.

"Skills Recognition acknowledges that learning can take place anywhere. It benefits anyone who has acquired skills and knowledge through paid or unpaid work experience, training of any kind, volunteer work or life experience," she said. "Melbourne's North West region in particular has been identified as an area with a large range of skills but without the formal accreditation.

Our aim is to provide the community with access to the credentials and career opportunities that they deserve." Rosemary Michael, team leader/supervisor at Australian Arrow, is one of many individuals who have benefitted from Skills Recognition. "Overall, the process at Kangan Institute was easy with no disruptions to my job. The assessors were also great to work with - they were well-organised, communicated fabulously with people and were very accommodating to specific needs," she said. "With my new Certificate IV in Competitive Manufacturing qualification, I realise that there is a lot more to what I do and I'm now better positioned for a higher-level role in the future."

Industry areas covered at the expo include automotive, aviation, business management and administration, carpentry, engineering, furnishing, health and nursing, horticulture, logistics and supply chain management, manufacturing and more. We'll also have staff on hand who can assist attendees with their résumé writing, to help increase their chances of successful employment or promotion.

And as a bonus, anyone who registers their details at the door will go into the draw to win an iPad.

When: Friday 31st August 2012, 10am to 8pm, and Saturday 1st September 2012, 10am to 4pm

Where: Hume Global Learning Centre (main foyer) 1093 Pascoe Vale Road Broadmeadows

Free entry and parking.