Hundreds of people expected at borough’s second careers’ fair

A huge careers’ fair on Tuesday July 9 will be visited by 1,200 high school students and also be open to the general public.

It is the second time the Rossendale Works Employability Fair has been held at the Adrenaline Centre, Helmshore Road, Haslingden, and more than 50 different businesses and training providers have signed up for stalls.

Rossendale Leisure Trust is providing the venue free of charge and students from high schools across Rossendale have been invited to attend in the morning up to 2pm to find out about future career options and pathways and many of the stalls will be interactive.

Businesses range from The Whitaker, which has just announced a huge £1.7m lottery development, Rosso buses, Lucardo Escape Rooms, Boys Construction and digital marketing agency Grow Traffic.

Schools have been involved from the outset and the distinctive logo used by Rossendale Works was designed by a former student from Fearns Community Sports College, Stacksteads, Holly Duffy.

From 2.30pm, the event will be open to the general public and for granddad Jim Keating, from Haslingden, visiting the fair last year proved very useful as it led to him securing a job at Caswell Engineering in Helmshore.

Council leader Councillor Alyson Barnes said:

“Last year’s Rossendale Works Employability Fair was a huge success and it showcased the diverse range of businesses and industries we have in Rossendale.

“The Rossendale economy is growing and the predictions are there will be a further 1,600 jobs in the Valley by 2033.

“I feel it is important that the Rossendale students of today return to their home area after university and events such as these make them realise just what opportunities there are for them in the Valley.

“It is great to go away to study, but there are also many, many reasons to return to Rossendale to build a career.

“The fair is also a chance for Rossendale companies to get themselves better known and encourages business to business working.”

Visitors will be able to apply for live vacancies, seek out apprenticeships, learn more about degree apprenticeships, source part-time and full-time roles as well as voluntary opportunities.

While the event is taking place, a team of high school students will be producing a newspaper to reflect the fair and the participants and also taking short video footage for social media.

Rossendale Works is a Rossendale Council scheme, which was initially set up for a 12-month trial period in partnership with Active Lancashire, but was so successful it has been expanded and funding was approved by the Department of Work and Pensions.
Rossendale Works helps people who are job ready to seek placements and employment and that work is complemented by Rossendale Futures, which provides a holistic approach to improving participants’ wellbeing by offering free activities.

The careers’ fair has been funded by Rossendale Works alongside Future U and the Children’s Partnership Board.

Rossendale Council, Inspira, Careers leads from Fearns and BRGS and the DWP have been involved in the organisation.

There are still spaces for more businesses and to take part contact 01706 252480.