Laura gives college’s jobs fair the X Factor
9:28am Friday 10th February 2012 in Your Town
A FIRST-of-its-kind skills and jobs fair has been held to tackle Bolton’s unemployment — which currently stands at more than 8,000 people out of work.
More than 300 people visited Bolton College within the first hour.
Joining the employers and visitors was former X Factor finalist, Laura White, who performed for the crowd.
The event was geared at getting the town’s 8,244 jobless back in to work, as well as improving the skills of those entering the workforce in the future.
More than 30 businesses, including Virgin Active, Bolton NHS, the RAF, Bolton at Home and the Seddon Group were represented and college bosses say with three quarters of them actively recruiting, the event will help the town’s jobseekers into employment.
Job hunters viewed a “live” jobs board, which carried details of vacancies in the town, as well as meeting local employers, received free careers advice and took part in “employability” workshops.
Lecturers provided information about Bolton College’s vocational courses and apprenticeships.
Bolton College Principal, Marie Gilluley said: “Bolton College is focused on getting people into employment.
We’ve launched this event to improve the skills of our existing learners, as well as supporting the unemployed within the town who are thinking about further training to help them into employment.
“We hope this event will further promote the benefit of apprenticeships to potential learners and employers.
The fair is a great opportunity for employers to meet their potential workforce of the future.
“Judging by the success of this year’s event, we would like to make the Bolton College Skills and Jobs Fair an annual fixture.
We are committed to tackling youth unemployment in Bolton.”
Singer Laura, from Bolton, added: “I am always pleased to support local events when I am home. Young people should stay focused and believe in themselves, I believed in my singing and writing ability.”
