Stratford Recruitment Fair

Businesses are being encouraged to sign up to join a 'medieval' recruitment fair in Stratford this October to help fill vacancies caused by the pandemic.

The 'Job and Apprentice Fair' is taking place as part of the annual Stratford Mop Fair on October 12 - harking back to the Mop's original purpose in the 14^th century.

It will be held in Stratford Playhouse on Rother Street from 12 noon until 6pm, and attendees can turn up at a time that suits them.

And Stratford District Council, organisers of the Job and Apprentice Fair, are encouraging businesses looking to fill wide variety of roles to sign up and have a presence at the fair.

This could be in-person, indirectly by handing out literature, or simply providing a QR code for attendees to scan and find out more about a business and how to apply for a job there.

So far, more than 20 companies have signed up to take part in the fair at the Stratford Playhouse including the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Arden Hotel, social housing company Orbit Housing, and leisure operator Everyone Active. It is hoped many more will sign up ahead of October 12.

Cllr Matt Jennings, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure at Stratford District Council, said: "The Job and Apprentice Fair will be a throwback to what the Mop Fair was about all those years ago - bringing jobseekers into town to find work.

"To do that, we need plenty of employers there for attendees to speak to and potentially join.

"We'd love to see businesses and organisations in all sorts of sectors represented at the fair, whether that's in person or indirectly with a QR code or literature.

"Plenty of people in and around Stratford will be looking for work as a result of the pandemic, and this is a chance for businesses to set their stalls out and recruit some new talent to help them recover from the damage COVID has caused.

"We'd welcome any company looking to hire staff in all sorts of different roles to sign up and come along. It's a fantastic chance for businesses with lots of vacancies to take on new talent."

The Job and Apprentice Fair was conceived as a way of attracting workers to fill vacancies in the hospitality and leisure industries in the district, as well as in several other sectors.

It will take place alongside the usual rides and sideshows of the Mop Fair, run by Bob Wilson's Funfairs.

And it is hoped those attending to enjoy the Mop Fair might also consider attending the Job and Apprentice Fair if they are looking for work.

"We want to make it nice and simple for anyone interested in seeing what jobs are out there," Cllr Jennings added.

"People can just pop in when's convenient, and can have casual conversations with the employers there about any vacancies they have before returning to the fun of the Mop Fair.

"Whether people are out of work or considering a career change, it's definitely worth visiting the Job and Apprentice Fair to see what's available."

Anyone looking to take part or for further information should email recruitmentfair@stratford-dc.gov.uk