Work Routes – More than 800 people attended a jobs fair in Truro to find out more about Cornwall job opportunities.  More than 100 Cornwall employers were joined by 700 jobseekers at the event, which was held at the Jobcentre Plus in Truro.

The event was organised by local employment service Work Routes and Employment Advisers from Jobcentre Plus Truro, Falmouth/ Penryn, Redruth, St Austell and Newquay.  Jobseekers were given the opportunity to speak directly with local employers about their available job vacancies and how to pursue them.

Jobseekers who wished to receive extra, free support with their job search were referred to their local Work Routes service, which is delivered by Reed in Partnership and their range of local partner organisations across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The ESF funded Work Routes service is voluntary and offers Cornish people completely free, one-to-one employment support – including free in-house skills training; job searching; interview practice financial assistance with child care and travel; and support in dealing with other potential barriers such as housing or lone parenthood.

Clair Murray, Recruitment Manager for Work Routes in Redruth, helped to organise the event. She said:

“It was fantastic to see so many people attend this jobs fair.

“At Work Routes, our aim is to give as many Cornish people as possible the chance to find a job that suits their individual skills and circumstances. This event was a great way to bring jobseekers and employers together and get them speaking about current vacancies.

“We [Work Routes] were there to offer our support for people who wanted more help with their job search. 75 people referred on to our service, and we are really looking forward to working with them and getting them feeling confident about starting work.”

As well as a one-to-one Employment Adviser, ESF Work Routes offers participants an in-house Skills Trainer and a Health and Wellbeing Adviser to help them address employment barriers such as mental and physical health issues, diet, mindset and a lack of skills.

The programme is set to support almost than 6,000 jobseekers in Cornwall over a three year period.

If you are over 16 and currently unemployed, visit workroutes.co.uk for more information.

Work Routes is delivered in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and funded the European Social Fund.

Work Routes Jobs Fair in Truro