The very first Coventry Job Fest took place last week and proved a huge success with lots of local people finding work, volunteering or training opportunities.
New for 2025, Coventry Job Fest connected local talent with leading employers by taking opportunities directly out to the community.
The new job initiative visited three wards with the highest youth employment figures - St Michael’s, Foleshill and Longford.
Over 1,800 local residents attended the events and accessed invaluable help and support.
Job Shop Customer, Cher, who attended all three events said: “I feel a completely different person having worked with some of the team at the Job Shop and attended a workshop session prior to Job Fest.
“If you’re going to have one day of confidence, go to the Job Shop. The staff are so helpful, they listen to you. Whatever you feel you’re lacking, there’ll be a course for you to build up your confidence and get you back involved and be your best self.”
All those who attended the three different Job Fest events benefited from fast-tracked applications and interviews, on-the-day recruitment, CV and interview workshops, and the chance to engage with employers through innovative activities, including Virtual reality experiences.
Employer Hays Recruitment took over 80 applications at Job Fest in Foleshill and the Adult Education Service at Coventry City Council saw over 50 new learners sign up for their programme.
Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council said: “It’s brilliant to see the huge success that Job Fest has been. It’s so important that we have events like this. To take Job Fest out to wards where people may not, for whatever reason, be able to go into the city centre has been enormously beneficial to so many residents.
“I’m proud of all the hard work that has gone into bringing Job Fest to life and I’m excited to see what opportunities come of it for our local people.”
There were over 70 employers and training providers across the three days at Job Fest, with 600+ opportunities available at each event. Some of the major employers included: Severn Trent, E.ON, the Army and Costco.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council said: "It was great to see so many people at Job Fest. That includes local people who came out in numbers and employers who were there with good jobs and good advice.
“Having a job changes lives and our Job Shop is at the very heart of supporting local people in to work every day.”
The Job Shop continues to provide ongoing guidance in the city centre and outreach locations across Coventry, tailored to individual needs.
To get a closer look at the event in action, visit the Council’s YouTube.
For any media enquiries, contact the Communications Team at: communications@coventry.gov.uk or 024 7683 4848.