One month on: Jobs and Futures Fair

It’s been a month since my Jobs and Futures Fair, held at North Warwickshire South Leicestershire College. Here’s a few of my reflections from the event and details on how to get involved in future events.

Over 40 local businesses and organisations joined me to showcase jobs and opportunities in Nuneaton, including Jaguar Land Rover, George Eliot Hospital, Balfour Beatty, Hercules Construction Academy, the Manufacturing Technology Centre, North Warwickshire South Leicestershire College and Coventry University.

With this being my second Jobs Fair, my intention was to build on last year’s success; inviting more exhibitors from diverse sectors and building on the number of attendees. Whilst all jobseekers and those registered with Nuneaton’s local JobCentre receive invites, I also wanted to focus on inviting young people leaving school, and those looking to change careers.

When I meet young people from Nuneaton, whether on school visits or via our Nuneaton Youth Parliament, they often tell me they want to see more employment and career opportunities in their local area. I keep this in mind every time I visit a local business, asking them what opportunities they have available for local people, and what I can do to connect them with local recruiters, sixth forms, colleges and apprenticeship support programmes.

Holding a Jobs Fair twice a year is a great way to make those connections in person, gathering businesses, organisations and residents in one place to network and seek new opportunities.

When asked to rate how confident the jobs fair had made them feel in taking their next career steps, attendees gave an average score of 4 out of 5. Their overall experience was rated at 4.17!

Organisations had similar feedback, saying they had spoken to lots of attendees and had the chance to network with other businesses or charities whilst they were there.

For businesses or local organisations who are looking to exhibit at my next jobs fair in September, please email me at jodie.gosling.mp@parliament.uk quoting “Jobs Fair September” in the subject.

For residents wanting to sign up to future jobs fairs and events, sign up to my newsletter for all the latest: Newsletter - Sign up