This month saw the third annual West London Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair at West Thames College. I am proud to say that, since I first approached the college to join with me to host the event in 2012, it has gone from strength to strength. Well over 2,000 people attended this year’s event and the atmosphere on the day was hugely positive.
This year the Jobs Fair was relaunched as the “Aspire – The West London Skills Show Experience” to recognise the significant new dimension – a chance to get real hands-on experience. The ‘Have a Go’ sessions ranged from a plumbing challenge to film editing, making a bed to hotel standards and creating an app for a mobile phone. I also enjoyed trying my hand at forklift truck driving!
Alongside these skills workshops were the popular one-to-one advice and coaching sessions on CVs and interview skills delivered by Barclays and the National Careers Service.
The Sports Hall was packed with a wide range of businesses looking to recruit and Tesco, Allianz, Premier Inn and Pet Plan were even offering live interviews on the day. Marjorie Semple, West Thames College Principal said the highlight of the day was when a young man told her that he had just been offered his first ever job on Reception at Premier Inn.
I would like to thank the sponsors of this event Heathrow, Jobcentre Plus and Premier Inn and all those who worked so hard to organise such a successful event, particularly the staff at West Thames College.
Since my election in 2010, the total number of people registered on Job Seeker’s Allowance in my constituency has gone down by 21% from 2,377 to 1,871. I am also particularly pleased that the number of young people claiming the allowance has gone down by 30% from 525 to 370 and that 1,460 people started an apprenticeship in the last academic year.
However, I know that many people are still looking for work and I hope that events like this one will really help those people on their way.
