Come along to largest job fair in Blackburn with Darwen

Young people looking for employment in 2015 are being invited to one of the largest “Jobs Fair” in the borough.

Working with partners Blackburn College and the Via Partnership, Blackburn with Darwen Council has organised the huge event to bring employers with vacancies and unemployed young job seekers together in one place.

Called My First Job, it is being held at Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre, sports hall, Feilden Street on Thursday, March 5 between 2pm-7pm.

It will also give employers and training providers the opportunity to promote “live” and upcoming job vacancies, apprenticeships and work experience placements. There’s also advice on setting up in business and becoming self-employed and a young entrepreneur.

Council leader Kate Hollern has spearheaded the event which will feature more than 30 employers looking to recruit.

These include local big players from the Hive Business Leaders’ Network including Forbes Solicitors, WEC group and Euro Garages along with national employers such as United Utilities and BT to name but a few.

There is a wide variety of jobs on offer across different sectors including Finance, Legal and HR, IT and communication, Manufacturing and Automotive, Business and Consumer services, Retail, food & drink and Construction & Engineering.

Young people aged 15 to 24 including school leavers, college/6^th form leavers and students, graduates and Young people ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training’ (NEETs), and their parents are being invited to attend the jobs fair.

Councillor Hollern said:

“One of my top priorities is to help young people into employment, these are real companies with real jobs or opportunities. They are all either recruiting right now or very shortly so turn up prepared, with your CV and sell your skills. The jobs fair is about bringing employers and young people together in one room so they can be matched with each other. Young people tell me they can’t find jobs and businesses say they can’t the right employees. We have lots of hugely successful businesses in the borough who are expanding and taking on staff – we also have an abundance of local talent so this is a great opportunity for everyone to do business.”

Follow us on Twitter @shuttlebwd #myfirstjob

To help you prepare for the event, write a CV or interview tips, log onto

• Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council – Help finding jobs, funding and training
• National Careers Service – CV builder and advice
•  16-19 Jobs.co.uk – Creating CVs and Covering Letters