A visitor to the Ilford jobs fair tries out metal work on training company Quest's stand

Young people got tips on getting into work and spoke to employers about career opportunities at a jobs fair yesterday.

Stalls inside Redbridge Town Hall let visitors learn about job opportunities

More than 35 exhibitors offered advice to 18 to 24 year olds both inside and outside Redbridge Town Hall in High Road, Ilford, as part of the Redbridge Council-run Work Redbridge opportunities fair.

There was a chance to try out hair-dressing and metal work in the town centre and learn about training provider Quest’s summer projects.

The company in Clements Road, Ilford, is offering projects including fashion and hair shows and building a go-kart to 16 to 19 year olds which will lead to accredited qualifications.

Sandra Clarke, Quest’s vocational programme manager, said: “We help young people to link in with local employers and the projects are to give them a taste, an idea of whether they’d like to go into it.“

Inside, there were stalls from employers and educators including London Fire Brigade, Crossrail and the Redbridge Institute of Adult Education.

Zarim Begum, 17, of Balfour Road, Ilford, was looking for part-time and voluntary work during her summer holidays to help with her personal statement.

She said: “I think all young people are in a similar situation, it’s very competitive.

“You have to try to get the best opportunities”.

Gopi Rikkala, 27, also of Balfour Road who has been looking for work for six months, said he thought the fair would help his job search.

Staff from training company 5e, of Clements Road, spoke to young people about their courses which include PC maintenance and IT and retail skills.

Gillian Green, a marketing and advisory worker for 5e, said: “We build up people’s confidence if they haven’t worked for a while”.

Workshops throughout the day taught CV and interview techniques and gave advice on starting your own business.

The fair built on the success of the annual Work Redbridge jobs and training fair, according to a Redbridge Council spokesman.