Scores of Islington residents are dusting down their best interview slacks after being matched with potential employers at a recent "jobs fair". <br><br>Job-seekers turned up in droves to the Emirates stadium where they met bosses from a host of top companies. <br>Barclays, House of Fraser, Royal Mail and Ladbrokes were among firms at the career-searching session which saw nearly 800 people turn out. <br><br>Cllr Lucy Watt, Islington Council's Executive Member for Skills and Business, said: "This was a great jobs fair, and it was really encouraging to see that in difficult times there are still lots of businesses who are interested in employing local people, and have real job opportunities to offer them. <br><br>"There are so many people in Islington who don't work, but want to, so it is important for the council to work with businesses and encourage them to take on talented local people."<br><br>Julie Gunnell, manager of the Barclays branch in Holloway, said: "We are always looking for people with customer service skills and the event was an ideal opportunity to meet many potential employees at one time. <br><br>"More than 80 people have registered to go through our interview process so it was a very worthwhile event for us." <br><br>More than 400 vacancies were on offer at the jobs fair, with potential employees attending interviews after the event. <br><br>Islington Council's "Work Is" programme matches local jobseekers with suitable vacancies. The programme also provides unemployed residents with pre-employment support, training and advice. <br><br>For more information please call 020 7527 3465 or email workis@islington.gov.uk<br><br>ENDS <br><br>For more information please call Chris Weeks on 020 7527 3032
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009