Don't miss the Get Oldham Working job fair next month

The countdown is on before local people can explore hundreds of opportunities across various employment sectors at the next Get Oldham Working (GOW) Career and Apprenticeship Fair.

With a wide range of apprenticeships, work experience openings, training courses and jobs on offer from various employers within the borough and beyond, this is a great chance for residents to start or further their careers.

One of the great myths around apprenticeships is that they are exclusive to the younger generation – this is incorrect.

It doesn’t matter if you are 18 or 40, apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16 and there is no upper age limit.

So whether you are job hunting for the first time, looking for a return to work, or searching for the next step in your career, this event is open to everyone and it’s free to attend – just turn up on the day, no booking is required.

Working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, the National Careers Service, and Ingeus, the fair runs from 9am-2pm on Wednesday, April 18, at Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre.

Some of the employers attending this event include BT, United Utilities, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Oldham Coliseum. 

Parking is available just outside the venue at the Southgate Street Car Park and Metrolink’s Oldham Central stop is only a 2-3 minute walk away.

Staff from our GOW team and other partners will be available on the day to advise you about careers, apprenticeships and access to training.

There will also be plenty of space for you to complete any applications that you pick up, with additional support on hand in case you get stuck with any questions.

Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills, said: “We want to provide residents with the best possible opportunities to find employment.

“Whether it is through speaking with a member of our Get Oldham Working team via a one-to-one appointment or by attending one of our events such as this one – which enables you to speak with potential employers and gain access to valuable training – there are several avenues to choose from.

“So make sure you come down to our latest Career and Apprenticeship fair because this could be the beginning of the next step in your career like it has been for so many other residents who have previously attended.”

Make sure you follow the Get Oldham Working team via social media in the build-up to the Career and Apprenticeship Fair event for all of the latest updates: Facebook: @GetOldhamWorking / Twitter: @EmployOldham

If you cannot attend on the day it’s now even easier to contact the GOW team, which has supported the creation of more than 6,000 employment opportunities in less than three years.

They are located on the first floor of Metropolitan Place, Hobson Street, Oldham, OL1 1TT – across the road from the Job Centre Plus.

The base is operating an ‘open door’ policy, which means residents of working age can go along – without an appointment – and speak to a careers advisor, weekdays 9am until 4pm. 

As part of GOW, residents can also use our Career Advancement Service (CAS) which helps to develop career aspirations with tailored information, advice and guidance.

The service helps to identify and access training courses which aid career progression with your current or new employer.

Over the next five years GOW is looking to engage with 6,000 residents and fill 5,000 work-related opportunities, so if you are looking for work it is a good time to get in touch.

Contact the GOW team via their website www.oldham.gov.uk/gow, by email: employability@oldham.gov.uk or by telephone on 0161 770 4674.