UK careers fair attracts top candidates

Britain's premier recruitment, careers, training and education fair, Careers and Jobs Live and theGRADfair completed another record event with thousands of candidates through the door during the two-day event.

VIP guests of honour opened the event each day - Des Browne MP, Minister for Work, opened the show on Sunday 2 November. The show was also supported by Alan Johnson MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education who opened the show on Monday 3 November.

Having toured the show, Alan Johnson said: "Graduate fairs are extremely successful at helping many graduates find the jobs they deserve. It's a good time to be a graduate. Graduates currently earn on average around 50% more than those without HE qualifications and are less likely to be unemployed. I am sure most of the graduates walking through the fair today will match their hard earned graduate skills with a hard earned graduate job"

Alan Johnson also picked the winner of the £12,000 IT training course competition which was given by exhibitor, James Thornton Consulting London. Lucky winner Jennifer Davis of London E15 will receive a free place on a 12 week Microsoft course leading to a recognised professional IT qualification.

On his visit to the show Des Browne said: "There was an impressive range of exhibitors offering a great variety of job and training opportunities. It was interesting to hear first hand the aspirations and experiences of jobseekers and employers. The exhibition helps jobseekers find new opportunities and employers fill their vacancies. It is important that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the success of the UK jobs market."

Exhibition Director Bruce Birchall said: "It's been a record year with attendance figures even higher than last year. The feedback we have had has been really positive with a number of exhibitors already enquiring about our next London show in March. There have been some excellent opportunities for graduates this show and the fast track system introduced this year was really well received. We have also had a record number of younger visitors looking for advice and ideas for training, further education and entry level job requirements."

(SP)