A newly-crowned High Street Hero is aiming to inspire hundreds of young people to get on the career ladder.
Mark Young, who runs Denbigh Chocolate Shop, is organising the second South Denbighshire Careers and Jobs Fair which will be on Friday, October 16, at Denbigh Town Hall, from 10.00am to 2.00pm.
The main sponsor is the award-winning Pendine Park care organisation which employs more than 650 people and the recently elected Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies is also supporting the fair.
The fair will feature career advice from seasoned professionals and job advertisements.
Mr Young, who won the food and drink category in the Welsh Government’s High Street Heroes competition, said: “The event was a huge success last year. Hundreds of youngsters came and we had over 40 businesses taking part. I want to encourage any businesses, schools to be involved.
“Denbighshire is full of talented, aspirational people, many of whom are trying to get on the job ladder for the first time, looking for a new job or thinking about changing their career path. Taking that initial step isn’t always easy and can often be daunting.
“This is a way for businesses to support young people so they know what jobs are out there, and also gain access to a big pool of talent.
“Young people can find out what it’s like to work in different occupations and find out what they need to achieve their ambitions.
“That’s why our event proved so popular last year and why I am hosting one this year too. It gives local employers and job seekers the opportunity to showcase themselves to one another in person without all the paperwork and online form-filling.
“It’s a partnership between businesses, and the local schools, to make sure we can help children on to a decent career path. It’s a positive message that there are good jobs out there and that businesses should work together to make sure we’re providing for our up and coming workforce.
“I want to make sure they get the right qualifications for the right jobs to we can have a better future for everyone.
“We’re looking for other businesses to get involved, and it’s on a first come, first serve basis. We’ve got room for about 30 to 40 companies to take part.”
Mr Young added: “I am very thankful that Pendine Park have agreed to be the main sponsor, and would like to thank Dr James Davies and his office staff for all of their support.”
Pendine Park proprietor Gill Kreft thinks the jobs fair is a fantastic idea.
She said: “I think the jobs fair is a great opportunity for Pendine Park to explain to young people what kind of paths exist for career progression in the care sector.
“At Pendine Park we have had people who have started off as student care practitioners and progressed right through to being managers.
“They’re not just careers that offer the opportunity for high pay, but also a great sense of worth to our community. Social care in particular supports economic prosperity by ensuring that we have a society where the vulnerable, young and old, are supported.
“The message is to kids that if you really are interested in making a difference to people’s lives, you really want a rewarding career with real prospects, social care is certainly something you should consider if that is your vocation.”
Dr James Davies MP is also delighted to support the jobs fair.
He said: “I think the jobs fair is a great initiative and I’m pleased to be able to support it. It’s incredibly important that young people are able to find out what opportunities are out there for them and are able to find work.
“It’s a great chance for people to find work with businesses that might not necessarily be listed at the Jobcentre.
“Mark is a very dynamic person in the community, and has made a big contribution to Denbigh and the surrounding area.”
For more information about the jobs fair please email Mark young on [email protected] or ring on 07825 912554.
