The Fair Deal project for the Learning and Skills Council. Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF).

Work Choice – Local Jobs for Local People – job fairs in Shropshire.

Q. How do you get unemployed people to take steps to get back into work?

A. The brief was to raise awareness of the career, training and learning opportunities for people who are out of work in Shropshire. In partnership with Jobcentre Plus, Learndirect and Business Link West Mercia, we launched a programme of four one-day high-profile publicity events.

We spread the word through a mix of direct mail, community marketing, email, partner contacts, PR and advertising. We provided free transport and childcare. Our first event attracted over 300 pre-registrations, exceeding our target of 250.

On the day, exhibitors offered taster sessions, bite-sized courses, e-learning, advice on employment and qualifications and role model case studies.

We delivered presentations on work experience placements and work-based learning opportunities with local employers. We ran workshops on letter and CV writing, cooking, DIY and confidence building. All backed up with Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) sessions.

And in case it all became too stressful, we also offered free aerobics and dance sessions.

Result?

All exhibitors reported excellent traffic to their stands, in quantity, level of interest and enthusiasm. Feedback from evaluation forms from attendees was extremely positive, with most people feeling that the job fair had equipped them with the necessary information, advice and guidance to find a job.