The future looks bright for jobseekers in Exeter

The future looks bright for job seekers in Exeter and further afield following the success of a recent job fair in the city.

More than 1,800 job seekers attended the Exeter Jobs Fair in September at Exeter Corn Exchange, with some people travelling from as far as Cardiff, Somerset and Plymouth.

Such was the success of the event organised in partnership between Exeter City Council and Job Centre Plus, another Fair has been set for 6 March and businesses across the Exeter area are being invited to attend.

Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Economy at Exeter City Council, said: “With high employment rates in Exeter, it can often be difficult for businesses to find candidates in the region. In bringing together jobseekers and firms from Exeter and the Heart of Devon, we’re certain we can support our city’s diverse business landscape further and continue to see it thrive.”

Sixty businesses turned up for the last event and all of them said that attending had been a success to them as a business, with over 50% of employers taking candidates they met on the day straight through to the next stage of the interview process.

Leon Searle, Employer Advisor at Exeter Jobcentre, said: “We were thrilled to see the huge success of our previous job fair and have taken all the feedback on board for our March event. We’re looking forward to once again welcoming a wide range of businesses and potential candidates.”

Businesses who would like to attend should register their interest by emailing Exeter.JobsFair@exeter.gov.uk to receive further information.

Firms who attend must have live vacancies or have planned vacancies in the near future. The fair is also open to those who are recruiting for apprenticeship or training schemes.

Organisers Exeter City Council and Job Centre Plus are hoping that the next fair will be just as popular as the last one. In September, although 519 people of those that attended were from the Exeter postcode area, the vast majority travelled in from outside the city and the south west.

There are also plans to run a number of smaller sector-specific fairs throughout the year as well as the larger general fairs.

Exeter Jobs Fair takes place on Tuesday 6 March from 10am to 2pm at Exeter Corn Exchange. Doors will open for employers to set up from 7:30am. From 9:30 to 10am jobseekers with learning difficulties or additional needs will be invited to attend in a quieter and calmer environment.