It has been really interesting over the past few weeks discovering the degree of enthusiasm for my first Jobs Fair. This is an experiment in bringing together employers with those who are either looking for a first job or an apprenticeship, or anyone who wants to change jobs or is currently unemployed.
The Jobs Fair takes place next Friday at Ashford College between 10am and 2pm, and I am surprised and pleased that we have had more applications for stands than we can cater for. With apologies to those who are currently on the waiting list, and noting that next time we may need a bigger space, I am particularly pleased at the range of companies coming.
As well as the Fair’s sponsors, the recruitment company HRGO, we have big national employers such as Barclays, John Lewis and National Rail, and some of the more prominent local firms like M J Allen, McCarthur Glen, and Premier Foods. There will also be a significant presence from public sector employers such as Kent Police, Ashford Borough Council, and Kent County Council, and charities like the Princes Trust.
As well as having the individual stands, there will also be useful workshops throughout the day on issues such as how to fill in your CV to best effect, and how to manage your money when you find your first job. Another workshop will cover fraud prevention, which is increasingly important in the digital age.
So there will be a wide range of offerings. All we need know is a large number of people wanting to explore them. I am grateful to the Ashford Gateway, and Job Centre Plus for pointing people towards the Jobs Fair, and I look forward to seeing hordes of job hunters there next Friday.