IN this week’s column, Warrington South MP Andy Carter discusses the return of his annual apprenticeship and jobs fair.

After the tremendous success of last year, I’ll be back at the Parr Hall tomorrow hosting my annual apprenticeship and jobs fair.

It’s a totally free event for anyone considering their next steps after education, wanting to find out more about options available to them or looking for a change in career.

We’ve around 40 local employers attending, between them they have hundreds of opportunities available to local people.

The types of recruiters include representatives from the nuclear, logistics, healthcare, engineering, public utilities and energy sector.

Businesses will be on hand to talk to young people, parents and anyone simply wanting a bit of career advice. This year there’ll even be a clinic to help with putting together or tidying up CVs.

Since 2010 we’ve seen a massive growth in young people going into apprenticeships, with well over half a million currently participating this year alone.

So many of the businesses I visit in Warrington South are now recruiting apprentices and when I talk to young people in these roles, they’re so passionate about what they do and thoroughly enjoy the experience it’s given them.

It’s not always clear for students and parents what options are open for young people post GCSE.

We’ve seen big changes with the introduction of T-Levels alongside A-Levels and degree apprenticeships with an increasing focus on technical education to better prepare students for the modern workplace.

If you qualified a few years back and fancy a career change there are increasing options available to allow you to re-train, with support.

Few of us will spend our entire working career with one employer and the skills we will need for tomorrow or our next career aren’t always gained in the workplace, local colleges provide lifelong adult learning opportunities and we’re offering advice on these too.

In Warrington South we’ve seen employment figures recover to pre-pandemic levels.

Warrington is a good place to locate a business and it’s a good place if to live if you’re looking to secure a well-paid and rewarding job.

Great businesses recognise the need to invest in and support their workforce with career progression and it’s great to see so many of them coming together this Friday as part of the fair.

So if you’re a student or a parent wanting to find out more about what career routes are available after school, if you or anyone you know is looking for a change in job, or if you just want a bit of employment advice, please do come along: Friday 10th March, 10am to 3pm at the Parr Hall in Palmyra Square, WA1 1BL.