BUSINESSES and jobseekers of all stripes have a rare chance to meet under one roof at Jobfest this year, which returns to Steam Museum this February.

Returning for its fourth year Jobfest is one of the largest recruitment events in Swindon on the business calendar.

The event is expected to attract more than 1,000 business people, school children and job seekers to the Great Western Hall in Steam Museum.

Some of biggest names in business will be there, including Honda, Nationwide, BMW, and Zurich.

Mike Godfrey, chairman of Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative at Business West said:

“Jobfest is a fantastic event that has a significant impact on the young people who attend, laying the foundations for skilled and rewarding working lives.

“The feedback that we get from businesses regarding Jobfest is overwhelmingly positive. Not only does it help them to achieve their recruitment goals, the event is also a fantastic opportunity to network, find new business opportunities and do some good for the community.

“Exhibition stands are offered at a significantly discounted price when compared to similar business expo events, making Jobfest great value as well as helping to boost Swindon’s long-term productivity and prosperity.”

More than 350 pupils from local secondary schools and 430 college students came to last year’s event, providing an excellent chance for businesses to meet potential apprentices in person.

Capita workforce management attend Jobfest every year and have witnessed some positive results so far, says their operations director Daniel Busson.

“We have used the opportunities Jobfest provides to advertise available apprenticeships during the event which increased our application intake by 40 per cent. We were able to meet the candidates there and then and start our recruitment process from the start.

“Since Jobfest started we have recruited four apprentices directly from the event and I would highly recommend businesses of all sizes attended this event to meet our talented local young people and help to inspire the next generation.

Exhibitors will be charged a flat rate of £185, giving smaller businesses an excellent chance to show their face alongside some of Swindon’s bigger firms.

Jobfest will be at Steam Museum on Thursday on February 14 from 9 - 5pm.

For more information and tickets go to www.tickettailor.com/events/swindonboroughcouncil/206021.