18 September 2015 – Bluewater’s pioneering on-site recruitment and training facility, The Learning Shop, held its annual Jobs Fayre on Friday, September 18, with this year the most successful event yet. The Upper Hall at Glow welcomed in excess of 5,000 jobseekers, a record attendance since launching four years ago.
Opened by MP for Dartford, Gareth Johnson, Mayor of Dartford, Ian Armitt, Bluewater’s Head of Marketing, David Wilkinson, and District Operations Manager for the Department of Work and Pensions, Louise Leighton-McTague, the Bluewater Jobs Fayre showcased more than 2,000 permanent and temporary jobs. To cater for the demand, opening hours for this year’s Fayre were extended to 11am to 5pm.
Over 80 of Bluewater’s leading retailers and restaurants participated, with new additions for 2015 including Hackett, Next, Five Guys and Showcase Cinemas. They joined long-term supporters of The Learning Shop, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer, as well as local bus operator, Arriva.
The event also coincided with the release of figures that reveal the number of people receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance in the Borough of Dartford in August was 783, the lowest since records began in January 1996 (source: House of Commons Library). Unemployment in the Borough has also fallen to just 1.4%.
Commenting on the 2015 Jobs Fayre, Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford, said: “This year’s Jobs Fayre event was a credit to all involved in particular the hard work The Learning Shop and Bluewater do for the people of Dartford and the wider community in helping them find employment and training. I am proud to have been invited to support the annual event and to have met some of the prospective employees and also the many retailers involved who are creating these opportunities.”
Robert Goodman, Bluewater’s General Manager added: “The 2015 Jobs Fayre was certainly a true success, having gone from strength to strength each year. This year we saw the highest retailer engagement and support from many leading UK and international brands for a variety of new management roles and permanent positions compared to previous years. We are proud to be a catalyst in launching successful careers within the retail and restaurant sectors in conjunction with The Learning Shop.
In addition, The Learning Shop held CV workshops throughout the day and the team was available to offer advice to prospective candidates.