Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair in Norfolk Connects 1,000 Young People with Employers
Government initiative offers trades simulations and career advice, backed by £2.5 billion investment to boost youth employment.
By The SME Chronicle Newsroom
••2 min read
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Generic image of young people engaging with career opportunities at a jobs fair, with virtual reality and employer stands.
Over 1,000 young people attended Norfolk’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair, exploring career paths through virtual reality simulations and engaging with 65 employers.
The event, held in Norfolk, provided young people from rural and countryside communities with opportunities to learn about various trades, including welding and farming, through hands-on simulations and virtual reality experiences. This initiative is part of the Government’s wider youth employment support, backed by a £2.5 billion investment aimed at helping young individuals build strong career paths.
At the AgriFest event, attendees had the chance to experience agricultural professions via virtual reality welding simulations, HGV training, and a water irrigation network building exercise. An 'employability zone' offered advice on job searching, application completion, and interview preparation, equipping them with the confidence and skills needed for their first steps into employment.
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"Every young person deserves the chance to fulfil their potential, which is why we’re bringing jobs, training and support directly into communities. I’m delighted to see businesses and local partners opening doors for hundreds of young people, offering not just interviews, but also mentorship and career advice. Through the Youth Guarantee, we’re determined to give every young person the chance to earn or learn."
Youth Guarantee Jobs Fairs have previously been held in Bristol, Glasgow, Cardiff, Nottingham, and London, resulting in over 1,000 young people securing jobs, work experience, or training opportunities. The government's commitment is that all young people under 25 should be offered high-quality pathways.
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"I think giving young people the chance to meet employers and find out what opportunities are actually out there is really important. It can be hard to know what you want to do when you’re starting out, and sometimes you just need that first conversation or bit of encouragement to see what’s possible. I’m really pleased to be supporting the Agrifest Jobs Fair. There are some great opportunities in agriculture and across the wider industry, and hopefully the event gives young people the confidence to take that first step and find something they really enjoy."
The event reinforced the government’s commitment to supporting young people into employment or training. The youth employment support package, with its £2.5 billion investment, is set to support almost one million young people and create 500,000 opportunities. Over 65 employers and providers from across Norfolk attended the jobs fair.
