Welsh Jobs Expo returns bigger and better after 500 attended last year’s event

THE leading employment and training event in North Wales is back and bigger than ever before.

Businesses, skills organisations, educators, charities, and individuals wanting to exhibit at this year’s Conwy Job Expo are urged to do so fast.

The free exhibition will again be held at Eirias Events Centre in Colwyn Bay and following the success of last Spring – when up to 500 school and college students were in attendance – it has been opened-up to people of all ages.

In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and supported by Creating Enterprise, Conwy Business Support, and Working Wales, which is delivered by Careers Wales, the Expo will be held on Thursday February 22 from 1pm to 5pm.

Libby Duo, Strategic Manager for Conwy Employment Hub, hopes to see even more organisations at the venue than in 2023, when more than 80 signed up.

“We have had a very positive response so far and spaces are filling fast,” she said.

“As well as pupils from schools across the region – many of whom are still undecided on their future career – this will be an opportunity for people in jobs who are looking for a new direction, or anyone seeking employment, to explore what opportunities are out there in multiple industries.”

‘The Barn’ at Eirias Events Centre will be divided into sections for exhibitors, education and training and demonstrations.

Jane Cook, the DWP’s Employer and Partnership Manager for Conwy, added: “The Expo is aimed at anyone wanting a fresh start, or looking to take the next step in their education or working life.

“This event will bring some of the region’s top organisations and businesses under one roof – as well as representatives from the public sector – and provide them with a platform to attract their employees of the future.

“It’s also a chance for networking, to conduct initial interviews, and to demonstrate what apprenticeships, work placement and voluntary roles are out there on the market.”

Among the employers taking space at the last exhibition in 2023 were Adra, the WRU, Supertemps, Conwy Mind, Becoming the Great, Parkdean Resorts, Akari Care, ALG Security, Michelle Salon, The Army, Airbus, Zip World, North Wales Police, Grwp Llandrillo Menai, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

More than 80% of those surveyed lauded the programme of activities and organisation on the day, describing it as “excellent”, “a great opportunity to speak to young people”, “really useful” and “one of the best career events we have attended in a long while”.