A CAREERS fair which launches Sunderland’s highly successful Work Discovery Week is being extended to allow a whole range of people to meet the region’s top businesses.
Work Discovery Week – which runs from June 29 to July 1 – is now in its third year and gives young people from across the city the opportunity to be involved in a number of activities to help improve their employability.
One of the highlights of the opening day at the Stadium of Light is the careers fair, which this year has more than 40 companies from across the North East taking part.
Around 1000 pupils from 21 schools will attend the opening day but now organisers have decided to extend the opening hours and invite students of all ages, parents, carers, teachers and other professionals to visit the careers fair between 3pm to 5pm on June 29.
Businesses involved in the event include headline sponsors Gentoo, University of Sunderland, Sunderland College, Arriva and Nissan along with SAFC, Sunderland City Council and NECC.
Companies from industries such as software, manufacturing, construction, care and training will all be present, giving those attending a rare opportunity to make contact and gather information about career opportunities.
“There are so many companies involved in this year’s Work Discovery Week that we recognised it was a great opportunity to extend the careers fair aspect of the first day to allow more people to participate,” said Gary Hutchinson, co-chair of the city’s Economic Leadership Board Business Schools Task Group which set up the week.
“It is not very often that you get all of these fantastic organisations in a room together so we saw it as extremely important that as many people as possible could participate.”
The careers fair is part of a whole host of activities taking place at the Stadium of Light on June 29, including workshops and practical demonstrations, all delivered by businesses, and a fashion show highlighting clothes suitable for work.
Throughout the week young people will be involved in a number of visits and activities with companies, culminating in a business problem solving challenge on the closing day.
Anyone wanting to attend the extended career fair must register in advance by sending their details toNicola.appleby@sunderland.gov.uk