Pop up job fairs

The Cheshire West Work Zones have reported continued success matching job seekers to jobs. 45 Job seekers were successful in finding new jobs in July, the largest number of people securing a new job through the Work Zone this year.

National reports have identified vacancies in retail, hospitality, and social care, which is reflected in the jobs secured by Work Zone job seekers last month: administration, retail, health and social care, warehousing and distribution, construction, sales and marketing.

The pandemic has had a huge effect on businesses and jobs over the past year but there are signs of rapid improvement. The local unemployment level fell from 9,750 in June to 8,930 in July which is down 16.5 per cent overall since March.

There is usually an increased demand for staff as Christmas approaches and with that in mind Cheshire West and Chester Council has arranged a series of special pop-up Jobs and Volunteer Fairs:

• Apple Market Place (former covered market), Northwich on Friday 24 September between, 10am and 1pm.
• Port Arcades, Ellesmere Port on Friday 24 September between 10am and 2pm
• Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, Thursday 30 September between, 10am and 2pm 
• The Grosvenor Shopping centre, Chester on Friday 1 October between 11am and 3pm.

Any businesses with vacancies can contact the Work Zone if they would like to take part in the fair. Telephone Northwich Work Zone: 07833 236675.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration said: “The Council has continued supporting businesses and residents through a very challenging and distressing period. We have seen a lot of job losses in our area, but equally there has been a great deal of determination from people to find work again.

“Similarly, our high streets, like others across the UK, have suffered closures, but at the same time we have seen many new independent businesses opening and an increased demand for business premises.  

“Throughout the pandemic, our Work Zones have continued to offer support to local people, helping hundreds of residents back into employment. If you have lost your job, or are worried about losing your current job, contact your nearest Work Zone as soon as possible - they are there to help. You can also come along to one of the new pop-up fairs to meet local employers.” 

A good place to start a job search is via the Cheshire and Warrington Opportunities Portal which collects all available jobs advertised on other sites, updating every 30 minutes and enables personalised searches in terms of role, location etc.  The portal can be found at: www.candwopportunities.co.uk .

If more individual employment support is required, it is available through the Council’s Redundancy Support Portal on the main Council website. Anyone looking for work and needing some help, can submit their CV through this portal and a member of the team will be in touch.

By applying to the Redundancy Support Portal, people can also get help from a Work Zone Employment Mentor. The Mentors can help to shape CVs, share job search skills and help with preparations for interviews. 

If there are new skills needed, they can be identified, and courses arranged which could be retraining or refreshing English, maths, and ICT before starting a new job. The Work Zones in Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford have a full Adult Education curriculum in addition to courses from other local training providers.

The Redundancy Toolkit is a free seven-module online learning programme providing all the information needed to help preparations for the next job.

Work Zones also run online Job Clubs, the Employment Mentor will help with the process of preparing and searching for work.

The pop-up fairs take place in conjunction with Northwich Town Council, Jobcentre Plus, Northwich BID, Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Port Arcades and Chester BID.

For more information, exhibitor enquiries or to enrol on an online Job Club, email:

skillsandemployment@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.