Last Friday, hundreds of people flocked to the De La Warr Pavilion for Bexhill’s first ever Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair.

Queues of people eagerly awaited the opening of the Fair at 10am and were warmly welcomed by volunteer Jobs Fair Ambassadors who were on hand all day to give guidance on how to get the best out of their visit. Throughout the day the DLWP was buzzing with activity as over 50 businesses and local organisations talked to visitors about the employment and career opportunities they had on offer. Jobs seekers also had the opportunity to take part in Creative Café interactive sessions where they could informally chat to local employers and training providers in more depth.

Feedback from these sessions demonstrated how useful they were, comments included: “Great creative exercises – pushed me to think quickly, freely and creatively.” “I founds jobs I never even knew existed.” “Really useful, talking with employers has been great and I have some opportunities to go away and think about.” “I learnt a lot about how you make your first impression and what you should put on your CV.” “Very enlightening – gives confidence about apprenticeships.”

Huw Merriman MP for Bexhill and Battle, and one of the organisers of the event, said “This has been an absolutely fantastic day for Bexhill. When we planned this event, we felt that the time was right to highlight that Bexhill has a lot of talented local people and it is a great place to live, work and invest. From the fantastic feedback I’ve received today, I believe we were absolutely right.

He continued, “The Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair is an entirely community-led initiative and today’s success demonstrates just what can be achieved by the great team-work from everyone involved. I would like to thank all members of the project team who gave their time and expertise to create this event including Bexhill College, the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Rother District Council, Culture Shift, the 1066 Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses and especially Stewart Drew, CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion, who has been the driving force behind the steering group. He and his team have worked really hard to create such an energetic and stylish event.

Stewart Drew, Director & CEO, De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust said “It was fantastic to see such a wide range of local businesses offering real live jobs, apprenticeships and training here in Bexhill, and to see such a wonderful response from those looking for work and work related opportunities. We set out to bring business and the community together to mutual benefit, and by the response it looks like Bexhill’s first Jobs Fair was a resounding success. Thank you to all those who took part in the event.”

Martin Riley, President of the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and Tourism added "I spoke to many of the exhibitors on the day, and they were all delighted with the quality of conversations taking place. By ensuring that work experience, apprenticeships, jobs and careers were clearly on offer, we had many candidates turning up ready with CVs in their pockets.” Many exhibitors at the fair took the time to share their views with the project team after the event.

Daniel Barnes, Branch Manager of the Bexhill Barclays branch said “It was one of the best Jobs Fairs I have been to. There was a great atmosphere with an excellent turnout and we met a lot of very interesting potential recruits at the Barclays stand.”

Steve Baldry of Marshall Tufflex said “We found the event well organised and well attended, the De La Warr was a great venue! It was very busy day, a good event overall! We collected a number of applications for our various vacancies and opportunities and had some good discussions with potential future employees and other organisations.”

Martin Seale, Development Manager, FSB said “I thought it was the best careers fair events I have attended – really organised well with good footfall and a cool business feel. It is a great addition to economic growth plans for the area".

Wendy Gorham, of Young Enterprise said “The day went really well and there was a great atmosphere. The Creative Cafes worked very well on the stage and it was a super day!”

Any businesses or organisations who are interested in taking part in a future Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair should contact Huw Merriman by emailing [email protected] .

The Project Team would like to thank its Headline partners: Marshall Tufflex, Torr Scientific, Locate East Sussex, Coastal Community Team, Parker Building Supplies. Thanks also to our Legacy Supporters Hastings Direct, Amicus Horizon and Talent Match South East Partnership. Other supporters include Gaby Hardwicke, Polecat Properties, Jan Meeks, Redwell Estates, Bexhill College, National Careers, CXK, Playne Design, Martin Riley Leadership and Business Development, My Future Starts Here, Subway, Streeten Design, Fulcrum Learning, APS Legal & Associates. Thanks too to all the volunteers who helped on the day including young people from Talent Match and ESCC apprentices and the Bexhill Lions Club who were on hand from early morning to help exhibitors. And finally, many thanks to our media partners More FM, Bexhill Observer and Platinum Magazine for their help with the publicity surrounding the event.