Task Force jobs fair is successful
Honda Task Force culminates in successful jobs fair
The Jobs Fair organised by the Swindon Task Force for former Honda workers last month proved a real success for both the businesses that took part and the workers looking for new jobs. In all, nearly 150 of those recently made redundant by the carmaker came to Stanton House Hotel to talk to a range of organisations looking to add to their workforce. While some of the participating organisations were offering new jobs within the automotive sector, others were offering an alternative future, from the Army to media companies and taxi firms – all keen to attract new talent to their organisations.
John Gardner and Sat Nijjar of Cross Street Cars were delighted with the numbers and quality of the people attending. The company has already had more than half a dozen applications following the day and these are currently being processed. According to John Gardner, “The event was a really worthwhile exercise for us and we have been very happy with the outcome.”
Michelle Dring, Recruitment Marketing Manager for Virgin Media, was impressed by the people who came to the Fair. “The calibre of the people attending was very, very good,” she noted. “The event was busy with a good flow of people through, especially in the morning. Those we spoke to were very focussed and motivated, the kind of people we are looking for at Virgin.”
Jill Annal, the Task Force’s Project Manager, commented: “These are highly talented and committed individuals that we want to keep here in Swindon. In the conversations I had with the participating businesses, the skills and commitment of the individuals at the Fair was noted time and again.”
For the individuals taking part, the day was productive and helpful. “In the feedback we got from participants, over 90% said they’d found something suitable for them during their visit,” noted Jill Annal. “And nearly half had taken advantage of other help provided by the Task Force to prepare them for a new job.”
The MPs for Swindon, Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland, both visited the event. “The Task Force has been a real success,” said Swindon North MP Justin Tomlinson. “It has brought together the private and public sectors in an effort to help these workers find new careers and keep these skills in the Swindon area. It has involved a great deal of effort and has paid real dividends.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
1. In all, 145 former Honda workers attended the Jobs Fair on 23 May at Stanton House Hotel.
2. The Task Force will be asking participating organisations for feedback about appointments over the coming weeks in order to understand
3. The Task Force was set up to help workers who had recently left Honda find new jobs. It included:
Forward Swindon; Swindon Borough Council; The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP); Honda; The Skills Funding Agency; The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS); Business West; UKTI; the two Swindon MPs; Representatives of local businesses
4. As individuals were informed of decisions regarding redundancy, the Task Force was also able to offer them a package of advice and practical help through a number of specialist organisations. These include:
- One-to-one sessions with qualified careers advisers
- Job search workshops
- One-to-one help sessions on money and budgets
- Help in getting new qualifications
- Advice on setting up in business
- Help to apply for new jobs through the Job Club
- Advice and support for people worried about the prospect of changing jobs