Bolton College’s Jobs & Skills Fair provides welcome boost to town’s 8,000 unemployed

Over 1,100 people have attended Bolton College’s first ever ‘Jobs & Skills Fair’ at its £70m Deane Road campus (Wednesday, February 8), with 300 flooding through the doors in the first hour alone.
 
Bolton College opened the doors to its state-of-the-art facility to host the unique event, geared at getting Bolton’s 8,244 unemployed back into work and up-skilling the town’s future workforce.
 
The free event, which was open to the general public, was supported by 40 organisations including Virgin Active, Bolton NHS, the RAF, Bolton at Home and the Seddon Group. Three quarters of exhibitors were actively recruiting on the day and a live jobs board promoted further vacancies within the town.
 
Visitors had the chance to meet local employers, together with receiving free careers advice and employability workshops throughout the day. Representatives from local charities including Barnardo’s were also on hand to advise of volunteering opportunities.
 
Bolton College staff and lecturers provided information about the extensive range of vocational courses and Apprenticeships available on campus.
 
Coinciding with National Apprenticeships Week (February 6 to 10), the College honoured its own apprentices with its annual ‘Apprentice of the Year’ awards. VIP guest and former X-Factor contestant, Laura White presented the awards, as well as performing two singles from her new album.
 
Laura White said: “I studied in Bolton and always take the time to support the town when I’m back home. This is the first time I’ve been to the new Bolton College campus and it’s fantastic. The place is buzzing and everyone is so helpful and friendly. I wish I could have studied here!”
 
Motor vehicle apprentice of the year award winner, Qurban Ali Alahdad Zadeh, 22, said: “I’m really pleased to have won the apprentice of the year award, and to have had it presented by Laura White.
 
“Bolton College has been so supportive throughout my studies and I’d like to thank Don Burnett Service Centre for giving me the opportunity to work as an apprentice with them.”
 
Bolton College Principal, Marie Gilluley said: "Bolton College is focused on getting people into employment by giving them the rights skills and training to follow their chosen career paths.
 
"We’ve held the event during National Apprenticeships Week to further promote the benefit of Apprenticeships. We hope it will be a catalyst for learners and employers to forge strong partnerships for the future.  
 
Andrew Roberts, who studied at Bolton College and is now managing director of Bury-based Pennine Telecom, supported the event. He said: “This really is a fantastic event for the students and businesses.
 
“I’m a strong advocate of Apprenticeships, having studied as one myself 30 years ago to being an employer of apprentices for Pennine Telecom today. We couldn’t operate without our highly skilled workforce and we’re hoping to fill three further positions after promoting vacancies today.”
 
Marie concluded: "Judging by the success of this year's event, we'd like to make the 'Bolton College Jobs & Skills Fair’ an annual fixture. We're committed to tackling youth unemployment in Bolton."