Residents turn out to network with local businesses

The Generation Welwyn Hatfield Careers Fair was opened by local MP Grant Shapps, who was joined by Welwyn Hatfield Mayor, Councillor Barbara Fitzsimon, Leader of the Council, Councillor Tony Kingsbury and Adrian Hawkins, Chair of Hertfordshire LEP.

The event, which was organised by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in conjunction with the LEP, highlighted different job sectors and opportunities open to residents and young people.  In the morning, over 500 year 11 students from local schools had the opportunity to network with local businesses, finding out about roles and opportunities with brands and organisations including TK Max, Sky Movies, Barclays and the Royal Air Force.  In the afternoon residents, including students from any year group and their parents or carers, visited the fair to find out more about opportunities with these employers and more.

The overall aims of the event were to:                                                                                                                                

• Help residents and young people gain meaningful encounters with employers
• Teach young people about a variety of local jobs and industries
• Educate students about the varied routes into work
• Enable teachers and school staff to interact and network with employers                                                                                                                                 

Councillor Tony Kingsbury said:

“We were fortunate to have a wide range of employers at the fair and it was great to see visitors take full advantage of the opportunity to engage with them and learn about new industries, explore potential career paths and gain insights into the skills and experience that employers are looking for.

“I would like to thank the LEP and all the exhibitors for agreeing to share their knowledge, experience, and advice with the borough’s young people, to inspire and inform their career choices and raise awareness and understanding of the skills necessary to compete for current roles and the jobs of the future within their organisations and industries.”                                                                                                 

“The council is committed to doing all we can to facilitate local employment opportunities and we look forward to more events like this throughout 2023.”

This careers fair was supported by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.