Almost 700 Vacancies To Be Advertised At Antrim Job Fair

Hundreds of job vacancies are to be promoted at an employment fair in Ballymena later this month.

Over 30 employers from a range of sectors, including industry, care, engineering, hospitality and construction, as well as support organisations and apprenticeship providers will be on hand to discuss training and employment opportunities.

The event on Tuesday 14 May will run from 11am to 4pm in The Braid. It is being hosted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the Department for Communities.

A range of support organisations will also be present to offer guidance on programmes available for anyone hoping to upskill or retrain.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Lindsay Millar, said: "Growing the economy is one of council's key priorities, so what better way to do that than getting key employers from key sectors under one roof to bring those opportunities to everyone in the borough.

"We're committed to helping optimise economic outcomes for businesses across the borough, and increasing employment."

Council Chief Executive Anne Donaghy said the partnership event will hopefully ensure that employees, businesses and entrepreneurs continue to get the support they need to succeed.

"Council officers will be in attendance to advise local businesses on the range of enterprise supports provided under Amplify; the integrated economic development strategy for Mid and East Antrim," Ms Donaghy added.

Nick Agnew from the Department for Communities commented: "We are delighted to be working with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to deliver this job fair. This initiative is an excellent opportunity to make connections, get advice, and apply for real employment opportunities. It promotes the spirit of the 'Local Works!' agenda, which aims to bring together local stakeholders to work in close partnership to deliver recruitment initiatives, tailored to local needs."

Rachel Doherty from GES Group, one of the employers attending the job fair, said: "We're delighted to be taking part in this event to promote the employment opportunities available within the company.

"Applications for our 2019 Apprentice Programme will be available at the event, and we also have a range of engineering vacancies. We encourage everyone to engage with the local employers in attendance and to make the most of this opportunity."

Aiming to offer those seeking employment the opportunity to meet a range of prospective employers and apply for work, the job fair is also a chance to gain inspiration and learn about the types of jobs that are currently available.

Colin Johnston from Galgorm Spa and Golf Resort, another of the employers who will be present, added: "As one of the largest employers within the local area we are delighted to be attending this event to showcase various opportunities we have on offer.

"If you're someone wishing to pursue a career in hospitality and learn all aspects of the industry alongside our experienced management team, Galgorm Spa and Golf Resort is the perfect place to gain this comprehensive grounding."



(JG/CM)