More communities case studies
Christmas job fairs
4,837 local people registered for jobsOver 70 retailers filled more than 1,000 vacancies
We hosted a series of job fairs at our shopping centres and retail parks.
These helped retailers to satisfy their seasonal recruitment needs, and made it easier for local people to find employment at our properties. By working in partnership with local agencies and training providers we were also able to offer additional support to job seekers, something that was particularly important for those who did not find a job.
During October, Fort Kinnaird Shopping Park in Edinburgh hosted a five-week recruitment event in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and Worktrack, a community-based employment access project. Retailers who filled seasonal vacancies included Argos, ASDA, Marks & Spencer, Next and Toys R Us.
Broughton Shopping Park in Chester and Teesside Shopping Park in Stockton-on-Tees both organised their job fairs in partnership with their local Jobcentre Plus teams. Teesside also extended its fair to include local high street retailers, encouraging positive community relationships.
“The job fair at Fort Kinnaird started six years ago because retailers were having difficulty recruiting in one of the most deprived areas of Edinburgh. Local people also needed to feel that the Park was part of their community, that it wasn’t just a place where they spent money, but one where they could find work and opportunities. This year numbers were higher than ever, a reflection of the current economic climate.”
- Business Link at Worktrack, Sandi McGeoch
Email Regional Centre Manager at Fort Kinnaird, Liam Smith, to find out more
Glasgow Fort Shopping Park delivered its annual job fair in partnership with Glasgow East Regeneration Agency, who promoted the event extensively to local people and provided staff on site for the day.
Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield hosted a four-day job shop in a vacant unit. Retail training partner, The Source, organised the event, furnishing the unit and providing staff each day. Members of the local Jobcentre Plus team were also on hand to help candidates.
