Liz Coates A jobs' and careers' fair is being billed as an opportunity for businesses to up-skill their workforce or face decline.The week-long event next month is being aimed at 14 to 19 year-olds and adults - but is also a chance for businesses who aren't actively recruiting to look ahead.

Liz Coates

A jobs' and careers' fair is being billed as an opportunity for businesses to up-skill their workforce or face decline.

The week-long event next month is being aimed at 14 to 19 year-olds and adults - but is also a chance for businesses who aren't actively recruiting to look ahead.

Organiser David Stannard said the event had been given added urgency after a stark warning to local enterprise about improving skills levels was issued in Norwich last week and he appealed to local businesses to join in the event.

In his annual address to business leaders before Christmas, councillor Barry Coleman, leader of the Local Strategic Partnership threw down a challenge to all local businesses to get involved in forming and guiding the future of Great Yarmouth - one of the aims of Opportunities Week where six events are currently being organised between March 10 to 17.

Councillor Coleman said: “This series of events is being brought forward at a time when we are clearly starting to see business confidence and investment in Great Yarmouth growing in momentum.

“Given the changing face of Great Yarmouth with major new investments in the port, in the town centre and on the seafront already happening, now is the time for organisations to gear up to meet the labour demands which these exciting projects will create.”

Advice and support will be on hand from those decision makers who are also planning for the future of their own organisation, together with current employees who have successfully negotiated the hurdles of their intended career pathways.

The events at various locations including the racecourse and Marina Centre will also cover the growing role which volunteering takes in gaining essential experience and demonstrating ability in promoting careers and encouraging enterprise across all sectors.

Councillor Coleman said: “The town's future is not one to simply watch, but it is also one to get involved in and be part of these exciting times.

“It is absolutely essential and in the interests of all that we encourage our residents to consider their job plans for the future and seek out new opportunities. As someone who has been in the privileged position of teaching young people over many years I know that the sooner we start that process the better.

To find out more contact opps-gy@live.co.uk