Thousands of Wolverhampton residents attended a city jobs fair this week to find out about opportunities available to them.

Type=image;ImageID=4006;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Angel Springs, Imogen Jackson, Liz Blackford, Paul Doherty, Gurpreet Saini;TitleClass=strong;

Type=image;ImageID=4007;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Yoo Recruit Agency at the jobs fair;TitleClass=strong;

Type=image;ImageID=4008;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Sponsor Keen at the Jobs Fair;TitleClass=strong;

Type=image;ImageID=4009;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=People queue up outside Molineux waiting to attend the event;TitleClass=strong;

More than 40 businesses and training providers showcased a range of jobs and training opportunities they currently have at the Spring Jobs Fair, at Molineux stadium, held on Wednesday 14 May.

The event coincided with news that the number of job seeker allowance claimants in Wolverhampton had fallen from 10,303 in March to 10,122 in April.

Around 2,200 Jobseekers turned out to the jobs fair and formed long queues outside the stadium.

Among the 45 companies that attended were Sainsbury's, Carillion, Wolverhampton Homes, McDonalds, Eurofins and National Express.

Other attendees included the armed forces, fire service and recruitment agencies, including the council's own Yoo Recruit service.

A number of education and training providers were also at the event to advise people about courses that can help them gain skills to increase their future career prospects.

The event was organised by Wolverhampton City Council, University of Wolverhampton, Department of Work and Pensions and the Wolverhampton Employability Partnership and sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton KEEN project and Angel Springs.

Tim Johnson, Wolverhampton City Council's Strategic Director for Education and Enterprise, said: "We are delighted with the fantastic response to this event.

"The sheer number of people who turned up proves that people in Wolverhampton have a strong desire to get back into work, find a new career or learn about training courses to help them develop new skills.

"It was also very pleasing to see so many businesses advertising dozens of opportunities that are available to residents.

"We are determined to bring about more prosperity for businesses and residents in Wolverhampton and events such as this certainly help us achieve that. We look forward to arranging more jobs fairs in the future."

  • released: Thursday 15 May, 2014