MORE than 600 opportunities are on offer at the annual Darlington Jobs Fair, which takes place next week.

The free event, which takes place at the Dolphin Centre on Wednesday, October 10, will give people of all ages and experience the chance to find out what’s on offer in Darlington and beyond in terms of employment, training and business start-ups.

Among the businesses already signed up are mobile phone company EE, Student Loan Company, HC1 Care providers, Deep Ocean, Darlington Borough Council, Allisons Transport and Melton Mowbray Pies.

Roles will be on offer across a range of sectors, levels and contract times including full and part-time, entry level and management positions.

Those attending will also be able to take advantage of advice from organisations including Job Centre Plus.

Also there will be the National Careers Service, TEDCO, which offers self-employment support and advice, Morrisons Trust, which provides CV, interview skills and support, Routes to Work, Darlington Citizens Advice, Learning and Skills and Step Forward Tees Valley, which is a programme to help people overcome barriers to move into work or training.

The event follows on from last year’s success which saw more than 1,000 people attend, some of whom were actually recruited on the day of the fair.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “Recruitment can be a very expensive process for any business.

“With this in mind, our business support team has once again decided to bring together those with vacancies and those looking for work under one roof to help fill mostly local jobs with local people.

“Whether you’re yet to take a first step on your career ladder or looking for a change of direction, or want extra training and qualifications, this event will have something for you. Make a date in your diary and drop in.”

The jobs fair takes place from 10am to 3pm in the leisure centre, on Darlington’s Marketplace.

The recruitment fair is part of Darlington Business Week, which runs from Monday, October 8 to Friday, October 12.

The week offers a full programme of business-based events aimed at encouraging Darlington businesses to network and to find out more about opportunities in Darlington and the Tees Valley region.