Popular careers fair comes back with big new opportunities

A big careers fair for young people was back this week – with exciting new opportunities

The Blackburn is Hiring event returned this year with a new location and new opportunities in Blackburn, Darwen and beyond.

The event was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic, and this year was held at the home of Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park with a specific focus on young people aged 14 to 19, primarily in Years 10 and 11, but also those in Years 12 and 13 and those who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment and Training) in Blackburn with Darwen.

It was organised by the New Directions team, which provides career, training and education advice for all young people in the borough.

There were 55 exhibitors made up of both education and training providers as well as local employers, who engaged with over 1,800 young people throughout the day.

The aims of the event are:

• To inform young people of the options available to them post-16 and also to raise aspirations through conversation with providers and employers.
• An opportunity for local businesses to meet with their potential employees of the future and to inform young people of the skills they look for.
• A networking event for exhibitors!

Councillor Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

It was wonderful to see Blackburn is Hiring back again and it was a great opportunity for our young people looking for new opportunities and careers. They were able to check out a huge range of jobs, training and education and start looking to their future to see what they would like to do.

It was also a fantastic opportunity to showcase the amazing businesses and training we have in Blackburn with Darwen and the surrounding area. I hope the young people were inspired as they look towards the future and the world of further education, work or training available to them.”