Virtual jobs fair a success for employers and job seekers

A virtual jobs fair arranged by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Communities for Work Plus scheme has been hailed a success.

The online event, which took place on Thursday 4^th June, was arranged to ensure people who are unemployed are still able to safely access job opportunities during the coronavirus outbreak.

More than 30 jobseekers had the opportunity to speak to 17 different organisations that included a combination of employment support services and businesses. Employers at the fair ranged from sectors such as hospitality, health and social care, sales, emergency services, teaching, security, the armed forces, childminding; all of whom had employment or career pathways to offer.

Each organisation was given a 15 minute slot throughout the day to give people the opportunity to listen to what opportunities were available and then ask questions.

Holli Davies, Engagement Officer for the Communities for Work Plus scheme and the event organiser, said:

“Usually we’d organise job fairs across different communities in Neath Port Talbot to give people the chance to speak face-to-face with prospective employers.

“However, due to the coronavirus outbreak we’ve had to do things differently. That’s when we came up with a new and innovative way of engaging with people via a virtual jobs fair. It allows us to still provide the same level of support as we normally would while following government guidelines on social distancing.”

The fair was hosted using Microsoft Teams, an online communication platform that allows people to chat, organise video meetings and share information. To attend the fair, attendees had to download the Microsoft Teams app in advance and then use the link provided by Communities for Work Plus to enter into the online event. Attendees had the choice to attend for the full day or enter at certain times to meet with organisations they were interested in.

Councillor Wingrave, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainable Development, said:

“It is wonderful to see so many job seekers and employers taking advantage of this opportunity.

“In these unprecedented times, it is vital that we continue to find ways to match people to jobs and give people the support and guidance they need.”

One employer commented: “We really enjoyed the experience and have seen lots of action today on our job posts and phone line.”

Another said: “with face to face recruiting on hold at the moment, it’s certainly a great avenue for us to explore.”

Communities for Work Plus are now planning to build on this success by holding a second event at the end of July. They are also aiming to hold a sector specific job fair on a monthly basis going forward during these times. Details of the events will be released on their social media pages in the coming weeks.

Communities for Work is a Welsh Government funded programme delivered by Neath Port Talbot Council to help those who need extra help and support to find work and can help individuals who are not only unemployed but those who are in part time work or on a zero hour contract and looking for more hours or a change in career. To contact Communities for Work Plus for help with finding employment or for more information on their upcoming virtual job fairs, you can contact them on any of the following methods:

Call: 01639 860160

Email: jobsuppport@npt.gov.uk

Text/WhatsApp: 07976589811

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/neatheast.communitiesforwork/ https://www.facebook.com/sandfieldsaberavonCfWplus/

https://www.facebook.com/CommunitiesforworkAfanvalley/

https://www.facebook.com/westerncfw/