A star of TV’s The Apprentice helped officially open Bolton Learning and Employment Fair this morning, welcoming jobseekers who hope to hear the phrase “you’re hired”.
Adam Corbally, a finalist in Series 8 of the BBC show, joined council leaders to launch the two-day event in Victoria Square.
The fair features exhibitions by employment, training, and skills providers from across Bolton offering opportunities for school leavers, jobseekers and adults looking to learn new skills.
Exhibition stands are open 10am-4pm (Sept 8-9) and include University courses, careers advice, apprenticeship guidance and volunteering opportunities.
Organised by Bolton Digital, Employment and Skills (DES), the fair is split across three zones focussing on Lifelong Learning, Employment & Skills and Kickstart.
The Kickstart recruitment zone showcases the scheme which offers government funded six-month places to young people (19-24) looking for workplace experience.
There are plenty of other opportunities for residents of all ages to upskill and train for a new career.
One focus is on digital skills, helping people access devices and get online safely.
Other free courses include mental wellbeing, English, maths, and employability.
The event also marks the launch of the new Bolton DES website, a resource for accessing digital skills, English for Speakers of Other Languages support (ESOL) and lifelong learning opportunities.
Adam said:
“I first got started in business through an incentive called New Deal back in 1999 introduced by the Job Centre and it’s so rewarding to come full circle having now employed several apprentices over the years and most recently I have just employed my own Kickstarter employee.
“Bolton has become my second home and it was great to be back helping showcase the amount of opportunities for all.”
Bolton Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, said:
“There are so many exciting opportunities on offer whether you’re a young person looking for their first job or someone looking to change career and learn new skills.
“We are seeing more and employers choosing to invest in Bolton because of our skilled workforce and a strong training and education sector.
“As a council, we want to build on that and events like today are the first step in creating the skilled workers and entrepreneurs of the future.”