HUNDREDS of young people looking to take the next step in life got to meet some of the biggest employers in Swindon yesterday.

The Swindon Jobfest 2019, held in the Steam Museum’s Great Western Hall, attracted busloads of school pupils and people of all ages looking for training and apprenticeship opportunities.

Employers and training providers, including Honda, BMW, Great Western Hospital, Recycling Technologies, Beard Construction, and the National Trust took up 60 stalls.

All employers with stalls had some form of opportunity and many young people were attracted to the prospect of earning a wage as they trained.

James Matthews, aged 17, was there to find apprenticeships as a vehicle engineer.

“I was hoping to find a car manufacturer who has what I want to do,” he said.

“I think personally that an apprenticeship makes sense, it gets you a job, a qualification, and you get paid.”

Chris Smart, who was looking for an opportunity related to car mechanics, said: “I feel that the aspect of earning while you learn is quite helpful. There’s lots of opportunities out there, it’s just a case of taking them up.”

Shelley Cook, organiser and skills and employment manager at Swindon Borough Council, told the Adver: “It’s really important for people to know about the opportunities and the jobs that are out there.

“It can be a tough time for young people but we are here to show there are opportunities for the non-academic route as well.

“It can be a lot of money for university and there are a range of employers offering apprenticeships at all levels.”

Felicity Fuller, human resources manager at pharmaceutical firm Blagrove-based Catalent, which sponsored the event, said the company saw it as vital for finding the next generation of employees.

“We’re here to promote some of the great opportunities we have,” she said.

“For us it’s quite important to have young people. We are finding students are more interested in what we offer on the apprenticeship programmes.

“They learn on the job, get their education and qualifications at the same time and we want to build their career.”

Mike Godfrey, chairman of the Swindon Initiative at Business West, which supports small business in the region, said: “It’s been brilliant. This is the fifth year we have invited our young people to talk to businesses to create a dialogue so they can understand what they want, and vice versa.

“That’s the kind of engagement we have been trying to enable.”