Youth Opportunities Fair

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More than 100 young people heard about jobs and training opportunities in areas ranging from construction to music at the Youth Opportunities Fair.

At least 35 training providers, colleges and employers talked through the options on offer as part of the Brighton & Hove City Council organised event for young people not in education, training or employment. The event was held 1 March this year.

Latest figures at that time showed improvements in the numbers of 16-18 year olds not in education, training or employment with 432 young people in December which represents 7.5%. That compares favourably to similar local authorities and is an improvement on the previous year.

All providers had vacancies on offer and 42 young people have already expressed an interest and registered with different organisations.

Early evaluation -- 40 forms returned - was positive with more than half finding the day 'extremely helpful'.

At least 95% said that they were provided with enough relevant information to take away while 1 in 9 - or 90% - said the overall event was either 'excellent' or 'very good'.

Comments from those attending included that 'everyone was very helpful and I didn't have to queue to speak to people' while others said it was 'great to talk to each group of people about each course'.

One year 11 student said: "It gave me a better understanding of what is expected in the job areas I am interested in".

Brighton & Hove City Council Cabinet Member for Children & Young People Cllr Sue Shanks said:

"This has been a highly successful event with young people in the city not in education, training or employment hearing about opportunities that are available. The council has worked hard to protect funding for initiatives to support hard-pressed young people despite the public spending squeeze."

"It's great that young people and their parents or carers as well as professional workers such as teachers or key workers came along too and heard about local college courses, apprentices and actual jobs. This was also a great chance to get valuable advice."

The event was organised by Brighton & Hove's City Council's Youth Employability Service which provides free information advice and guidance to young people aged 16 -18 who are not in employment, training or education.