During April 2015, the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) hosted a recruitment event for Service Spouses, Dependents and Service leavers planning to settle in North Yorkshire.
The recent development of the Princes Gate Shopping and Leisure Complex in Catterick Garrison has created 750 employment opportunities across a wide range of vacancies and working patterns, and the CTP was keen to introduce these employers to the talented and flexible workforce made up of the wider Garrison community.
The event, held in partnership with Kier Properties, The Department for Work and Pensions, 4 Brigade, The Hive, the Army Families Federation and Catterick Leisure Centre saw over 1,200 visitors in attendance to meet exhibitors including Premier Inn, Iceland, Hungry Horse, Brantano Footwear and Cotswold Outdoor.
Empire Cinemas brought a sweet smell to the air with their popcorn maker and were an instant hit for those with children, whilst recruiting staff from all organisations were on hand to provide information about upcoming vacancies at Princes Gate, which opens in Summer 2015, and Sports Direct set up an online facility enabling candidates to apply for vacancies at the event. Support agencies including The Hive, AFF, DWP and Darlington College were also available to deal with enquiries.
Catterick Leisure Centre was a hive of activity throughout the day, with over 300 visitors arriving during the first hour; followed by an influx of students and parents during the afternoon. Brantano said: “The younger people who have come with parents are very confident; they have been keen to do the talking themselves which is what we look for.”
The event also remained open into the evening to allow those currently in employment to drop in after work, and by closing time, hundreds of job applications and CV submissions for a wide range of job vacancies had been made.
Employers were impressed with the high quality of candidates in attendance; Iceland’s Lee Carrol said:
“There was a fantastic turn out that was consistent throughout the day. This was one of the most successful recruitment events I’ve attended and we anticipate being able to fill all of our recruitment needs from the day. A good event, well organised!”
Cotswold’s Martin Johnson added: “A high calibre of people, some we have seen today we would have on our team tomorrow.”
Premier Inn said: “We were not expecting this amount of applicants; the event was very well organised, we had a fantastic day and really enjoyed it. We think we have found some brilliant people and clearly it was a very busy event so hopefully it will be very successful for the people who attended as well.”
As well as enabling Service leavers, Spouses and Dependents to access the range of vacancies on offer, the event also presented the opportunity for the CTP employment team to strengthen relationships with the exhibitors in attendance, selling the many benefits of recruiting from the military and ex-military communities.
Watch out for future events on the CTP Events Calendar.