'Huge success' - Blackpool Jobs Fair helps 1,100 people find work in resort in one day
More than 1,100 people secured employment on the day of Blackpool’s big Jobs Fair.
And 900 of those successful candidates have already taken up their positions working across Blackpool.
The huge event at the Winter Gardens Conference Centre was hailed a big success in Parliament.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Blackpool South MP Chris Webb highlighted the impact of the event as part of a wider discussion on tackling the nearly one million young people across the UK who are not in education, employment or training.
Mr Webb said: “More than 1,100 people secured work on the day – some 900 are already in those jobs, working in our economy.
“That is Labour in action. I have spoken many times in this House about the need to support the hospitality and tourism industries, especially in coastal communities such as Blackpool, so that they can hire more young people and give them that opportunity.
“I got my first job at age 14, on Blackpool seafront. It was a great job that helped me get countless more jobs in hospitality. We need more young people to have access to those jobs.”
Speaking to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, who joined Mr Webb to open Blackpool Jobs Fair, he added: “Does my right honourable friend agree with me, Blackpool businesses and the Federation of Small Businesses, that this plan is a game changer in tackling youth unemployment in Blackpool and other coastal communities across the country?”
Responding, Mr McFadden praised the event and Webb’s leadership. He said: “I thank my honourable friend for the enormous amount of work that he put into organising the successful Blackpool Jobs Fair, which I attended a few weeks ago.
“He is right that the evidence from that jobs fair is that the vacancies are there, with more than 1,000 jobs allocated on the day of the Jobs Fair itself.
“Hospitality is a great entry route for young people. We have announced a foundation apprenticeship in hospitality as part of this process, and I hope that extends opportunity to other young people, similar to the opportunities that he had when he was a young man.”
The Government’s plan to tackle youth unemployment includes hiring bonuses for businesses taking on young people, expanded apprenticeships and 200,000 new job and training opportunities over the next three years.
The impact of the Jobs Fair is already being felt locally.
Leila, 22, secured a role at Spyglass bar on the day. She said: “I went to the Jobs Fair looking for extra hours in hospitality and walked away with a new role at Spyglass bar.
“I’ve worked in the industry since I was 16, so I knew what I was looking for but being able to speak directly to employers who had roles ready to jump into made it so much easier to find work.”
Ben, 20, who is studying network engineering, said: “I was able to get some really good insight into creating a good CV and putting myself out there.
“I’m studying network engineering and I’ve recently done work experience at Johnson & Johnson Medtech. I graduate the year and will be looking for an entry level job then. The jobs fair was a really positive experience. It was great to see all the different types of people there and I had some really positive conversations.”
The success of Blackpool Jobs Fair is now gaining national attention, with MPs across the country exploring similar events in their own constituencies.
Mr Webb added that Blackpool Jobs Fair will remain central to his plan to boost jobs, skills and growth in Blackpool.