Minister Pat McFadden hails vital Job Fair in Blackpool

The biggest ever Blackpool Jobs Fair ever saw thousands of people of all ages connect with prospective employers for up to 2,000 paid positions across the Fylde coast.

The huge event at the town’s Winter Gardens was officially opened by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, who hailed the event as a vital means of connecting local jobseekers to ‘real’ jobs.

Mr McFadden was invited to the event by its chief architect, Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, who coordinated the fair as an opportunity to bring local employers, training providers, and community organisations together under one roof.

Over 120 employers attended, ranging from BAE Systems to local bar chain Ma Kellys, from training providers Blackpool and The Fylde College to Blackpool Tourism Ltd.

At the same time, Mr McFadden was also launching the first Youth Guarantee Jobs and Careers Fair as part of a Government initiative to help tackle unemployment among 16 to 25 year olds.

It comes as concerns have been raised about a worrying national rise in those who are currently NEET (not in education, employment, or training).

Mr Webb launched the first Jobs Fair last year and he said he felt proud to meet people who had benefited from it and were now still in work after being long-term unemployed.

He said, “We have even more employers here this year and we’re hoping to see as many as 4,000 people coming here to find out about these jobs, training and education opportunities.”

“Blackpool has suffered from low wages and the limitations of seasonal work for too long. Today is about connecting people not only with jobs but also with the skills and support needed to build a better future. Local people deserve access to secure, well-paid, future-proof jobs.”

What the minister said

Mr McFadden said: “It’s fantastic to be here in Blackpool and particularly to be here at this wonderful Jobs Fair.

“The scale of this event is huge and we have over a hundred employers and a huge number of real jobs available today.

“This event is a very powerful way to bring together job seekers with employers and hopefully some of them will walk away toady having found a job

“This issue of youth unemployment and broader youth inactivity is a really important one for the country. The Government has a Youth Guarantee to help young people get work and access education and training, to help prevent them from becoming long-term unemployed. I really welcome this event.”

Mr McFadden also spoke about the link in Blackpool between some individuals who struggled with ill health and unemployment and said that in some cases, employment could help improve some of those health issues that were holding people back.

In addition to on-the-day hiring, attendees benefited from CV workshops, employability training, wellbeing support, and guidance on further education and apprenticeships.

Daryl John, Learning and Development Manager at Blackpool Tourism Limited, was kept busy as a steady stream of potential employees approached him about current job vacancies.

He said: “We’ve been here around two hours and in that times we’ve seen a lot of people.

“We’re looking to hire 50 people before Easter in a range of jobs in admin, ticket sales and food and beverage roles, and this event is an ideal opportunity to meet people who want to fill those roles across our positions within the Blackpool Tower complex, Madame Tussauds and the

Sandcastle.

“We still have a good number of people employed by us who were recruited via the Jobs Fair last year, proof that it works.”

Jack Roberts, 20, of North Shore, said: “I’m looking at catering opportunities and want to get things moving today – this event is really good for around here.”