More than 180 people attend Growth Company's Rotherham Jobs Fair

• Over 180 people attended the annual Rotherham Jobs Fair across four sessions.
• Local employers joined training providers to showcase jobs, skills development, and progression opportunities.
• The event forms part of the wider support available through the Restart Scheme and Pathways to Work, helping people across South Yorkshire move towards sustainable employment.

More than 180 jobseekers attended the Growth Company’s annual Rotherham Jobs Fair in early August, highlighting the continued demand for employment, skills, and training opportunities in South Yorkshire.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet directly with employers, learn about current vacancies, and find out about the skills and experience businesses and organisations are looking for. Exhibitors included the NHS and the Growth Company's own Employer Engagement Team.

Several training providers were also on hand to discuss courses, qualifications, and development opportunities. Representatives from Northern College, Construction Skills People, and Total Training shared information on the support available to help people build their skills, increase their confidence, and improve their employability.

For many people, jobs fairs provide an important opportunity to have face-to-face conversations with employers, ask questions, explore career options, and discover opportunities they may not otherwise have come across.

Supporting people into sustainable employment

The Rotherham Jobs Fair forms part of the wider support the Growth Company delivers through the Restart Scheme in South Yorkshire.

Delivered on behalf of Maximus, the Department for Work and Pensions-funded programme provides personalised employment support for people who have been out of work for an extended period and need help to move into work.

Participants receive tailored guidance from dedicated advisers, as well as support with confidence building, skills development, job searching, and overcoming barriers that may be preventing them from finding work.

Events such as the jobs fair play an important role in this support, creating direct links between jobseekers and employers while helping people build confidence and expand their professional networks.

Creating Pathways to Work

The event also reflects the ambitions of Pathways to Work (Trailblazer), which is an umbrella service designed to support people in South Yorkshire who face additional barriers to employment, particularly those linked to health conditions, disabilities, or economic inactivity.

Through Connect to Work provision, people can access personalised support that combines employment, health, and wellbeing interventions. This can help them better prepare for, secure, and stay in employment.

The programme aims to make sure that people receive the right support at the right time, allowing them to move towards work in a way that fits their circumstances.

Alicia-Marie Jankowski, a service manager on the Restart Scheme, said: “Our recent Jobs Fair was a fantastic success and a real credit to everyone involved.

“It provided an excellent networking opportunity for both participants and employers, with a great turnout from local businesses and jobseekers alike. The effort that went into creating a welcoming and engaging environment was incredible, with the team truly going the extra mile through the decoration and presentation of the venue.

“The support and enthusiasm of our new EEC Manager brought a fresh perspective to the event, generating excitement across the team and helping to create a real buzz on the day.

“Most importantly, our participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience, making valuable connections with employers and feeling inspired about their next steps towards employment.

“We'd like to thank everyone who exhibited and attended for helping to make the event a success. We would also encourage organisations interested in supporting future jobs fairs and employment events across South Yorkshire to get in touch.”

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 35-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives. We help people and businesses to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across the North of England and beyond.

Learn more about the job support that we deliver.