Hosted at Walsall College Hub, the free event, which was officially opened by Deputy Leader of Walsall, Councillor Nicky Barker, gave residents the opportunity to meet employers recruiting now, explore career opportunities and access expert employment advice and support.
Organised by Walsall Works, the Expo is an important part of the council’s work to connect local people with employment and skills opportunities and support residents at different stages of their career journey.
The event connected 862 jobseekers including Walsall College Students and people seeking for their first job and those seeking a career change, directly with 69 employers, training providers, and local organisations to build valuable career connections.
“ It is fantastic to see so many residents coming through the doors and taking advantage of the opportunities available.
Councillor Lisa Jones, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Skills at Walsall Council, said
The Walsall Works Expo is about bringing opportunities directly to local people, helping them make connections with employers and access the support they need to take their next step.
I’d like to thank all the employers, training providers and partners who supported this year’s event and helped make it another great success. “
The September Expo builds on the success of previous Walsall Works events that are hosted all-year round.
Alex Page from Incotech Ltd said, "As an engineering company based in Walsall, we are always keen to engage with our local community, both to support recruitment and to build strong business relationships within the area.
The expo provided a fantastic opportunity to do exactly that. We were particularly impressed when Kate Dziuba from Walsall Council proactively reached out to us and invited us to attend. That level of engagement and initiative is extremely refreshing and very much appreciated.
The event itself was fantastic, giving us the opportunity to meet local businesses, make new connections and showcase what we do as an engineering company. We will 100% be attending more events like this in the future.
A huge thank you to Kate and the whole team for organising such a great event and for helping local businesses connect and grow. We look forward to seeing you again at the next one."
A parent attended the Expo with their young adult son and was amazed by the number and variety of opportunities available to him. They were really impressed with the range of employers and opportunities all in one place.
The Walsall Works Expo has been supporting residents to access work and training opportunities since 2013. Walsall Works provides employment support for residents, including help with job searching and training, as well as specialist support for people with learning disabilities or additional needs.
For more information about Walsall Works, visit www.walsallworks.com, call 01922 654353 or email walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk
