At least 2,000 CVs are believed to have changed hands at a careers fair in Isleworth, where job-seekers got to try their hand at new skills.
More than 30 firms, from Heathrow to GlaxoSmithKline, were on the lookout for new employees at Aspire: The Skills Show Experience, held last Friday (April 4) at West Thames College's Isleworth campus.
Organisers, who promoted the event as west London's biggest careers fair, said three of the companies represented on the day had received more than 200 resumes between them - suggesting at least 2,000 were handed over in total.
There were an estimated 2,000 visitors, up on the previous two years and above the 1,600 expected at the fair, which was organised by the college with support from Brentford & Isleworth MP Mary Macleod, The Skills Show, Jobcentre Plus, the European Social Fund and the National Careers Service.
As well as meeting employers, they were able to pick up tips on CV writing and interview skills. Those who were unsure of their career course could try their hand at skills from making beds at a hotel to putting together a Brompton Bike.
There were also four firms, Tesco, Allianz, Premier Inn and Pet Plan, offering people the chance to walk away with a job on the day. It is not known how many job offers were handed out on the day but the number invited back for a second interview is expected to be in the hundreds.
Ms Macleod, who had a go at new skills including cake decorating and forklift truck driving on the day, described it as a 'tremendous success'.
"We got really good feedback from both the businesses and job seekers. The businesses said they definitely saw people they could hire," she said.
"Unemployment, including youth unemployment, been going down but we still need to take every chance to give people the opportunity to work.
"There is such a diverse range of businesses in west London and more and more apprenticeships are being offered."
As for her success when it came to cake decorating and driving a forklift truck, she added that both were 'great fun' but she'd need a bit more practice before giving up the day job.
Marjorie Semple, principal of West Thames College, said: "For me, the highlight of Aspire was when a young man came up to me to tell me he had just been offered his first ever job – on reception with Premier Inn.
"He wanted to thank the college for hosting the event which helped him to achieve this. That's what this event was all about."
