Western Bay of Plenty businesses need to think further into the future when employing people, due to the region's ageing population, says Priority One Instep manager Lyn Parlane.

More than 4000 people got an insight to the diverse range of career and training options at the weekend's Tauranga Careers and Business Expo 2014.

Rohan Sinclair, 11, trying out the robots at the House of Science stand.

Katrina Mabon, 22, Luris Cruzat, 12, and Sebastian Lemberg, 12, at the Digi School IT Hub.

Lyn says horticulture and IT industries open up huge opportunities for young people seeking work, but employers need to be thinking of long term employment as well.

'We need to make sure young people understand where the jobs are, but also make sure older people understand they can still have an opportunity to work part time.

'We need to be preparing now, laying the foundations down, exciting people in our region about the opportunities for the future.”

According to Lyn, students from 10 secondary schools from across the Bay attended the expo, as well as Waihi College and intermediate students.

'Because we combined the businesses with the training providers, students can hear from the businesspeople and then go and have a look to see how they can get the qualifications to get that job,” says Lyn.

A stand out for Lyn was seeing businesses stepping up and understanding the importance of hands-on activities that she says attracts students' attention.

For example, the science industries had robots on display for students to interact with.

'Hands on activities get the students excited about IT and science,” says Lyn.

The aim of the expo at ASB Baypark is to promote opportunities available within the WBOP region, says Lyn.

'We need to help to retain and showcase to our young people what is here.

'It's more about that career pathway which is so important because today it's very difficult. Jobs are disappearing and new ones are coming on board. It's really important that people understand that.”

Lyn says potential employees tend to take more time choosing a car or television set than they do thinking about their careers.

'So the expo is a great opportunity for people to think about that.”

Sebastian Lemberg, 12, using the Stop Motion software.

Nick Freeman, 14, doing a vertical jump at the NZ Institute of Sport stand.

Jakob Gisel, 7, and Aliyyah Johnston, 6, being super heros.