Some of the biggest employers in the region will size up the talent at a major jobs fairs in west London in April.
Brentford and Isleworth MP Mary Macleod is throwing her support behind the Aspire Skills Show Experience at West Thames College in Isleworth. More than 4,000 people in Hounslow borough, which forms part of her constituency, are estimated to be claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.
A record 1,600 job hunters are expected to attend the event on Friday, April 4, and for the first year they could leave with a new career already sewn up. Even if they do not, they can still benefit from a range of support on the day including advice on crafting a CV and tips on how to ace an interview.
The annual fair is the third held since March 2012, supported by Heathrow Airport, when it helped recruit volunteers for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Since then it has advertised more than 2,000 vacancies to local people, with hundreds getting jobs as a direct result of attending.
Speaking ahead of the 2014 event, Ms Macleod said: “This year’s jobs fair will be really exciting and I’m proud to be working with West Thames College to deliver more jobs to local people. For the first time, companies will be screening and interviewing for available jobs on the day – so people really will be able to walk out of the fair on Friday with a new job.
“The fair is once again free to attend for attendees and businesses, so please do come along and speak to some of the fantastic employers who will be there on the day.”
Apprenticeships manager for West Thames College, Adam Sage, is once again relishing having so many big name employers involved.
He said: "For young people this is the one opportunity they have to speak to firms like GSK, Virgin Media and Sky. There will be a number of have a go-style activities where people can try a new career to find out if it would be suitable for them. There will be five companies, including Tesco, Heathrow and Allianz, in our conference centre screening people on the day and offering jobsright there and then.
“The most exciting of these will be Mace Construction, who are teaming up with Sky to build its new extension at its Osterley HQ. They need 1,400 people on the project and will be very much hoping to find many of them at our event. It’s phenomenally exciting.”
The event, which the Chronicle is also proud to support as the main media partner, is on Friday, April 4, from 10am to 4pm, and is free.
Employers or organisations with vacancies who are interested in participating should email mary.macleod.mp@parliament.uk to arrange a stand at the fair.
