Jobs and Training Fair
Exceeds Expectations
Six months back, the Extended
Services team at Newham Council responded to the government's call
for more help for parents wanting to return to work by planning
radical changes to its long-established annual childcare jobs and
training fair. Their decision to open it up to a wider range of
careers reaped dividends on 4 March, when 1,600 people poured
through the doors of the Old Town Hall, Stratford in just four
hours. This was double the number who attended last year's
childcare fair.
At the opening ceremony, where he was joined by poet, John
Hegley, Cllr Quintin Peppiatt, Cabinet Member for Children and
Young People, said: "We have been running these fairs for many
years now, and they have been very successful. This is the first
year we have branched out from childcare careers to introduce
training, volunteering and jobs across the spectrum. The vast
number of people here today shows just how well we are meeting
local needs."
So popular was the event, which featured over 150 jobs as well
as training, volunteering opportunities and practical support for
jobseekers, that the Extended Services team opened the doors early.
Come 2.00pm, when the fair was due to close, there had to be a
special announcement asking people to leave. The 40+ exhibitors,
some sharing stands, were delighted - and exhausted - with many
reporting that they had to send back to their offices twice or more
for flyers.
Nurseries looking for staff included Chestnut Nursery School and
the Smarty Pants group. They were joined by big players like Tate
& Lyle, GLL, Swan Housing Association and the council's own
human resources team, as well as caring organisations, including
Hilt Support, Consensa Care and the care division of Springboard
Housing, all looking for local talent.
The employers were supported by Newham College, NewVIc, the
University of East London, Birkbeck College and others, who
provided up-to-date information on work-related training, some
subsidised, as well as higher-level qualifications that can lead to
fast-track promotion. Completing the picture were employment
experts including JobCentre Plus, Workplace, Working Links, Reed in
Partnership and Sencia
As further support for jobseekers, the team organised nine
practical workshops on topics like preparing a CV, investigating
the hidden job market and the opportunities arising from the
Olympics, which are handled locally by Workplace. On a different
note, John Hegley, who ran a workshop on performing in public,
praised the high standard and said "at least five of them were good
enough to make a career of it".
All visitors who completed an evaluation form had a free entry
in the raffle, which was won by Aisha Said of East Ham. She won
three months' free membership at any of the borough's leisure
centres, donated by GLL.
If you would like to return to work and would like information
about childcare, ring the Children's and Families' Information
Service on 0800 074 1017.