Last week, from Monday 4 May, the National Careers Service held a
Virtual Jobs Fair across England and over 1000 jobs were
identified and promoted to local job seekers.
The fair was held to help address the ongoing impact of the
coronavirus on employment across the country, which has seen
people lose their jobs and need to explore different
opportunities. With face-to-face career service appointments
paused and employment support from local centres stopped, there
is a gap in ground level careers and employment support at a time
when it’s needed most.
Throughout the week the fair toured England stopping in London,
the West Midlands, East of England, South East, North East, South
West, Yorkshire & Humber, North West and finishing in the
East Midlands. A whole host of different opportunities were
identified, including job vacancies, apprenticeships and
volunteering opportunities.
Employers big and small across the country took the opportunity
to promote their vacancies, from Liverpool Council to the Met
Police. The fair was also well supported by local National
Careers Service contractors and partners.
Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, said:
It is wonderful to see so many employers take advantage of the
opportunity to promote the roles they have on offer through the
Virtual Jobs Fair. In these unprecedented times, it is vital
that employers are able to get access to the skills they need
and those looking for work are able to find the right job and
progress.
I wish all those who took part the best of luck in finding
their next job and hope we can build on the success of the fair
in the future.
A jobseeker from Yorkshire and Humber region
said:
I was feeling quite down after COVID-19 restrictions stopped me
from travelling to Canada on a year’s work visa and I needed a
new career plan. I’ve been doing a job I don’t enjoy, saving
money for my trip and the thought returning after lockdown with
no end in sight filled me with dread. Someone told me about
#jobshour so I searched on Facebook and Twitter. There
were lots of jobs advertised and one really caught my eye which
I’ve decided to apply for. I didn’t think anyone would still be
recruiting during lockdown, but this has opened my eyes and
raised my spirits!
Alongside the vacancies the National Careers Service provided
expert advice on writing CVs, help with interview skills and
general careers advice.
Anyone seeking careers advice can contact the National Careers
Service for free, expert advice from a careers adviser. The
service is open from 8am to 10pm seven days a week and can be
contacted by calling 0800 100 900, visiting nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us or
searching for the National Careers Service on Facebook and
Twitter.
