One of the big challenges here in Mid Norfolk for people looking for work is accessibility and awareness of what jobs are available – particularly in the more rural parts of the area.

That’s why, following the success of last year’s brilliant Jobs Fair in Watton (at which over 300 jobseekers met with almost forty employers from the Dereham-Watton/Wayland-Attleborough-Wymondham area), I was delighted to support the Wayland Chamber of Commerce, alongside the local Dereham DWP Jobcentre and local councillors, as they staged the event again this past Friday.

The event was another great success – with hundreds of local people attending, from school leavers to those with more complex needs, and from short/long term employed through to those simply interested in finding a new career challenge or opportunity.

There are a whole range of exciting jobs here in Mid Norfolk, with more being created each and every day, and the Jobs Fair served as a wonderful opportunity to connect yet more local people to those opportunities, helping local businesses and jobseekers alike. Of those employers represented, there were:

• Norfolk Constabulary
• Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (with the Prince’s Trust)
• HMP Wayland
• Cranswick Food
• Breckland Council
• GE-BE Transport
• Apprenticeships Norfolk
• Center Parcs
• Belvoir
• Banham Poultry
• Paul's Cycles
• Independence Matters
• White's Training Services
• Pride Homecare
• Thorp House Care Home
• Poultec
• The Sourdough Company
• Avon Cosmetics
• NR Fitness Gym
• ESS - Compass Group
• Flagship Housing
• University of East Anglia
• SERCO
• Traditional Norfolk Poultry
• Tesco
• Lotus
• Buckingham Lodge Care Home

As you can see, they come from a wide variety of fields – both public and private sector – and all with jobs in and around Watton, Wayland and Mid Norfolk.

With teas, coffees and light refreshments provided by local Watton High Street business, Cafe Contrast, the Queen’s Memorial Hall in Watton was buzzing for the event – which we hope to hold again in future.

For more information, please view my video below.