New recruitment and skills event in Poole attracted more than 1,000 people

Find Your Future in Dorset 2014 brought together most of the area’s big employers as well as other businesses, government agencies and training providers.

It was organised by Best Training and held at Poole’s Lighthouse with sponsorship from Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, Careers South West, Synergy Housing, Best Training and Partners in Care.

Visitors were able to meet employers, take advantage of free workshops in job-seeking skills and enjoy speakers, including inspirational businesswoman and Dancing On Wheels star Diana Morgan-Hill.

The mayor of Poole, Cllr Philip Eades, opened the event and toured the stands. He said: “It’s a fantastic exhibition, brilliantly arranged by Best Training.

“There’s an enormous range of opportunity for local job seekers and those that wish to change their career.”

He said he had been particularly impressed by the Cobham Aviation stand, where visitors could try a flight simulator as well as find out about careers.

“It epitomises what a range of opportunities are available in terms of local apprenticeships and I would urge people to investigate what apprenticeships are available to them,” he said.

“If you’re struggling for work, the opportunities are there – you’ve got to seek them out but they really are there.”

A buffet breakfast, held before the event opened to the public, offered a chance for businesses and public sector agencies to speak to each other.

Simon Harrison, of Poole Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said it had been an ‘ideal opportunity’ to meet local businesses and show how the chamber could help them.

Lin Manners, chief executive of Best Training, said the day had been a success.

“Over 1,000 people attended from start to finish,” she said.

“There was business to business going on as well.

“That worked very well and we’re really pleased with that.

“The Department for Work and Pensions were there and the Skills Funding Agency so we were really delighted.”