Jobseekers spoilt for choice at free event

Get Oldham Working

A NEW careers, skills and apprenticeships show has been organised for young people from across Greater Manchester.

Called "Choices" it aims to help clear the confusion about deciding what career or job to go into and help with the move towards the world of work.

Organised by WorldSkills UK and Prospects, with support from the Careers & Enterprise Company, the event takes place at EventCity Manchester on March 29 and 30.

The event's anticipated 10,000 visitors will be able to discover what they are good at, and the opportunities available to them, through hands-on experiences, professional advice and employer insights.

Visitors to Choices will be able to try bite-sized experiences of various skills and careers in the Have a Go areas, to see what they enjoy, and what inspires them.

There will then be an opportunity to meet a broad range of employers, training providers and colleges to discuss real life opportunities and routes to work, including professional and technical routes such as apprenticeships and traineeships.

Organisations already committed to the event include ITV, The Manchester College, Aldi, NHS Careers, Target Jobs and the armed forces.

There will also be demonstrations and inspirational exhibition stands hosted in six dedicated show zones.

A key part of the event will be the chance to watch skills in action through a series of live skills competitions with students at colleges in Greater Manchester competing against each other in a range of different career areas. Skills competitions provide a platform for the best of the nation's young talent to perform at a high level, and help drive up standards in organisations in which competitors work or study.

Other features include Spotlight talks, where visitors can hear from real people talking about their own jobs, to get the "inside track" on the skills needed for specific careers, and the Skills Stage where young people will show their skills in music, drama and other live performances.

For teachers, employers and parents, there will also be the opportunity to learn more about the opportunities available to their young people in the staffroom, a dedicated space for networking with information about careers advice and development.

Entry to the event is free, and there is a travel bursary available to schools and colleges across Greater Manchester.

To find out more about exhibiting or visiting the Choices event, call 01823 362800 or visit the website, choicesshow.org