Dozens of young people attend tenth edition of jobs and apprenticeships fair

Dozens of young job seekers had the chance to meet prospective employers, apprenticeship providers and employment support groups at the tenth annual South Bristol Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair on Thursday.

Exhibitors at the fair at the South Bristol Skills Academy in Hengrove included Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol Airport, DHL and several other regional and national organisations.

The event organised by Bristol South MP Karin Smyth was also attended by minister for employment Dame Diana Johnson and metro mayor Helen Godwin.

The fair organised by Bristol South MP Karin Smyth was attended by minister for employment Dame Diana Johnson and metro mayor Helen Godwin

“This event is about bringing opportunity to Bristol South,” said Smyth. “It was heartening to see so many young people coming to have that conversation about their future, face-to-face, with potential employers and apprenticeship providers.”

She continued: “As an MP, I have long advocated for the benefits of good skills training, and I held my first fair in 2017 because people in our part of the city are too often denied the opportunities they deserve.”

Smyth added that since the Labour Party came into power, the country was “seeing record investment” in apprenticeships, support for people to get into work and reforms in methods of skills training.

Johnson called the fair a “fantastic” example of the government’s plans for the country to unite employers and young job seekers.

She said: “As part of National Apprenticeship Week we announced measures to make apprenticeships more accessible for young people, because we know that quality training and real workplace experience can be life changing.

“I’m determined that every young person has a clear route into a good job and a rewarding career and it was brilliant to see so many local employers ready to give young people in Bristol that opportunity.”

Godwin said that extension of access to skills training and job opportunities was a major part of the region’s growth strategy to hopefully provide clearer pathways for young people towards “careers that they want and the jobs that we need”.

“Together, we’re already investing record funding into skills bootcamps,” added Godwin. “Along with the south Bristol section of the youth guarantee being delivered in partnership with the council and £20m from the government for the Hartcliffe Pride in Place programme. I look forward to continuing to work with Karin and other partners to help more people across the West get the chances that they need to be part of our region’s success.”

Avon and Somerset Police was one of the many exhibitors at the jobs and apprenticeships fair on Thursday

The skills academy in Hengrove is run by City of Bristol College and provides specialist training courses in subjects like hospitality, makeup and hair care, and animal care.

Julia Gray, principal of the City of Bristol College, who runs the skills academy in Hengrove, said: “We’re delighted to once again host the jobs and apprenticeships fair at our South Bristol Skills Academy campus.

“We’re extremely ambitious for our students, and events like this one can make a vital difference in helping them define their future direction. Seeing the enthusiasm and energy at these events is a great reminder of how important it is for young people to be able to have those conversations and get thinking about their future careers.”

All photos: City of Bristol College

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