Swindon’s STEAM Museum will be packed out when one of Wiltshire’s biggest career events returns for its sixth year.

Young jobseekers will be greeted by a host of local businesses from a range of different industries who are offering apprenticeships and employment opportunities in the area at JobFest.

The event is organised by Swindon Borough Council and is expected to attract around one thousand young people to the railway museum on Tuesday February 4.

Coun Russell Holland said: “JobFest is a great way to bring local employers and young people together into one space to have meaningful conversations that could pave the way for future job opportunities.

“This year we want to highlight all the options available to young people, including less traditional, but still highly desirable career pathways, like apprenticeships. We would encourage all young people and jobseekers in Swindon and its surrounding areas to come along to find their dream career.”

The jobs fair will bring together many businesses from industries including engineering, social care, hospitality and finance as well as national and local apprenticeship training providers. Students from secondary schools have been invited earlier in the afternoon while members of the public are welcome to go along from 2.30pm.

Throughout the school session, there will be motivational talks from employers and young apprentices. Later on, during the general public session, attendees will have the opportunity to attend drop-in sessions to improve their CV and speak to young apprentices.

The event is sponsored by Catalent and Capita Workforce Management, will inform and aims to engage young people about the apprenticeships and career options available to them in the Swindon area.

Operations director at Capita Daniel Busson said: “We have been lucky enough to have been involved from the start of this event and we’ve seen how big it has grown over the years.

“We use the opportunity to both speak to young people about careers in technology while advertising any apprenticeships we have open at the time. Three of our last five apprenticeships have been filled from candidates we met at JobFest.”

This year JobFest coincides with National Apprenticeship Week and local employers will be encouraging attendees to explore all their options, including apprenticeships and training opportunities.

To find out more about JobFest 2020, visit www.swindon.gov.uk/jobfest

For information on current apprenticeship vacancies in Swindon visit www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch