MORE than 2,000 job seekers found out about a wealth of career, apprenticeship and training opportunities at Middlesbrough's latest Job Fair.

And the council is keen to hear from those who succeeded in finding work at the event, with more than 400 jobs and 150 apprenticeships on offer from a range of employers.

Positions on offer covered the hospitality, customer service, finance, health, social care and manufacturing sectors, with more than 1,000 people coming through the doors in the first hour alone.

The Fair – organised by Middlesbrough Council in partnership with Middlesbrough College, the Job Centre, National Careers and Middlesbrough Community Learning - also saw the launch of the Tees Valley Youth Employment Initiative which aims to help young people aged 15 to 29 move into employment and learning opportunities.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Regeneration, said he had been impressed by those who attended, and praised the staff and volunteers who organised the event and added: “I’ve been particularly impressed talking to the training providers who are getting ex-offenders back into work and getting young people ready for employment.

“I look forward to hearing the stories of those for whom the Job Fair provided a real stepping stone to a new and exciting chapter in their lives.”

Anyone offered a job after the latest event is asked to contact Debbie_Ingoldsby@middlesbrough.gov.uk