Hundreds of jobseekers attended Bolton Job Fair with many submitting applications and securing interviews on the day itself.
Local employers were praised the fair, which was organised by Bolton Council’s Digital Employment Skills (DES) team.
Off the back of this success, The Bolton Learning and Skills Fair will run on Thursday, September 8, from 10am in Victoria Square.
The job fair featured 60 employers alongside special zones where visitors could get career advice or support to start a new business.
In total, 889 people came through the doors, submitting a total of 500 applications, resulting in 150 interviews – a third of which took place on the same day.
More than 450 residents were supported with employment and training advice on the day
A further 240 were booked for an employment support appointment, helping to make it Bolton’s most successful careers event to date.
A spokesperson for Holiday Inn Central Bolton, one of the exhibitors of the day, said:“What a great day we had at the Bolton Job Fair.
“It was well organized and obviously well-advertised as people streamed through the doors from start to finish.
“We met some great candidates and are sure we met some new team members on the day.”
Katrina Berwick, Team Manager at Connexions added: “It was great to see so many young people, parents and carers visiting the Connexions Bolton stand at the Bolton Job Fair.
"A fantastic event for our young people in Bolton to talk to local businesses first hand and find out more about the many Apprenticeship vacancies on offer in our town.
"A welcome opportunity to raise the aspirations of our next generation.”
Employers are reporting a very high number of vacancies,and the council say, there has never been a better time to find a new job.
Many businesses are offering job opportunities on the Bolton Business Connect’s free Jobs Portal which is shared with Department of Work and Pensions, employment programmes and other partners working with job seekers.
Employers are urged to take advantage of this free resource to help find the right people to fill any vacancy.
September’s Learning and Skills Fair will provide a one stop shop for residents seeking information about learning and skills provision, apprenticeships, higher education, enterprise and start up advice alongside careers and employment support.
Providers can register their interest in exhibiting at the fair by emailing DES@bolton.gov.uk.
Anyone looking for additional careers support contact the DES team at the same address for information and to book free one-to-one support.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Adele Warren, said: “The Bolton Job Fair was a huge success, feedback from employers has been glowing and the sheer volume of applications speaks for itself.
“We look forward to Bolton Learning and Skills Fair in September which will be ideal for residents looking for opportunities to upskill and gain new qualifications.
“As a council, we are fully committed to supporting local businesses to find the right candidates and to helping our residents secure fulfilling employment.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here