A RECORD number of people visited the Connect South West careers fair held in Yeovil on Tuesday November 8th 2011 – one of the largest of its kind in the region.
More than 4,700 visitors attended the event which was sponsored by AgustaWestland and showcased over 80 exhibitors representing employers, professional bodies, colleges, sixth forms, universities, volunteering and training providers for visitors to gain valuable careers information.
Connect South West Chief Executive Rachel Bendall said: “The Careers Fair was a hugely successful event for us with so many people and exhibitors attending. We have a proud history of running quality careers events and this event was no exception.”
“We know from the feedback we received that people value being able to talk to employers about career options and to colleges, sixth forms, universities and training providers about courses on offer.
“What I found most useful about the event was finding out about careers I did not know about” Young attendee.
A welcome return was the Careers Clinic where visitors found it really useful to be able to sit down with an experienced adviser for a one to one careers interview.
“Fantastic staff. Very professional and knowledgeable, applying all information to my personal situation. Really brilliant event!” Adult attending Careers Clinic.
A popular addition to this year’s event was the Have a Go interactive skills arena where people could “Have a Go” at a new skill. These were organised by sponsors the Dorset & Somerset Training Provider Network in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service, as part of the WorldSkills London 2011, which is funded through the European Social Fund.
Rod Davis, Chair of the Dorset & Somerset Training Provider Network, commented: “It’s great to see so many people of all ages “having a go” at different skills following the success of the WorldSkills competition hosted in London recently.”
Rachel Bendall added: “I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to support the event”