Hundreds at jobs event

Hundreds more jobseekers were today meeting the biggest businesses in the region on the second day of the Express & Star’s Jobs Careers Training event.

Yesterday saw more than 1,000 people descend on the Dunstall Park racetrack in the city to meet prospective employers face to face and hand over their CVs. 

Those attending included a range of people from university graduates to those who took early retirement. They were able to meet more than 50 of the region’s top business, education and training providers. Wednesfield women Kerry Jim and Samantha Pugh, both 21, were looking for a job that would make use of their qualifications. Kerry, a graduate in human resources and business management, who studied at the University of Nottingham, said: “I’m hoping to meet people from local councils. It’s been good. Everyone we’ve met has been helpful.”

Samantha, of Eversley Grove, studied at the University of Wolverhampton and is looking for a job in textiles design.

Also at the fair was a group from Wolverhampton’s Job Change centre, in Red Lion Street. Carolyn Bagshaw, aged 21, of Hellier Road, Bushbury, said: “We can get a lot more information and go into more detail when we talk to the companies face to face. It’s much better than looking on the internet.” One of the stalls proving to be very popular was the Army’s. Warrant Officer Class 1 Gary Turnock said: “Recruitment in Wolverhampton is 50 per cent up on last year. We get people who aren’t quite sure of the career they are looking for and did not realise the different types of jobs and roles  on offer with the Army.” 

Express & Star promotions manager Viv Birch said: “It’s been a huge success with well over 1,000 people attending yesterday alone. “Hopefully we can match up employers with some promising people looking for careers, as well as offering guidance over training and education,” she said.

The event, sponsored by University of Wolverhampton and 107.7 The Wolf, included dozens of exhibitors from a wide range of sectors. The RAF, Crown Prosecution Service, Police, Waitrose and Phones4U were among the exhibitors at the event, which was running until 4.30pm today.