The Gosport Employment and Skills Fair

Gosport's largest annual recruitment, careers and training exhibition

The Gosport Employment and Skills Fair (GE&SF) has on average 50 exhibitors and over 600 visitors, making it the town's largest annual recruitment, careers and training exhibition. 

The exhibitors are made up of employers promoting job and apprenticeship vacancies, plus career opportunities; along with employment support organisations, training providers and education establishments that can help residents get those jobs and apprenticeships. When it was last staged prior to the pandemic in January 2020 there were 46 exhibitors and 729 visitors. 

Gosport Employment and Skills Fair 2023 (GE&SF 2023)

If you are either an employer or support organisation that is interested in exhibiting at the 2023 event then please contact the council's Economic Development and Regeneration Team to register your interest. 

Promoting locally available jobs, apprenticeships and training to residents

Previously known as Gosport Business and Employment Fair, it has been staged annually since 2012 by Gosport Borough Council to promote the locally available job, apprenticeship and training opportunities to residents - both employed or unemployed.

Its aims are to help: 

• residents find jobs and apprenticeships, get new skills or start a business in Gosport; and
• local employers to recruit new staff and promote career opportunities

Therefore it brings together employers, employment support organisations, training providers and education establishments, as exhibitors under one roof, to meet with residents.

Supporting local businesses to raise their profile as employers and recruit staff

It is a very effective method for local businesses to engage face-to-face with a large number of residents about their current vacancies and recruit as a direct result.  

It also provides opportunities for businesses to network with the employment support organisations, training providers and education establishments to help maintain and develop new relationships to further assist with recruitment and workforce development.

Highlighting future career opportunities and skills needs to young people

Although primarily aimed at job seeking adults and young people, it is also aimed at pupils and students to help them get a better understanding of the future career opportunities and skills needs here in Gosport.  

The Exhibitors 

Employer exhibitors promote job and apprenticeship vacancies, plus career opportunities, within the following sectors

• Business and professional services
• Construction
• Health and care
• Engineering and manufacturing, including aerospace, marine and defence
• Public sector
• Research and development
• Tourism, leisure and retail

Support organisation exhibitors, many of which are members of the Gosport Employment and Skills Partnership network, are on hand to provide advice and support to help residents:

• Be your own boss
• Become an apprentice or undertake a traineeship
• Get new skills
• Into employment

Based upon feedback what visitors value the most from the event is:

• "engaging with employers"
• "talking face-to-face with exhibitors and getting feedback"
• "the variety and number of employers actually recruiting"
• "finding out about jobs, support and advice available locally"
• "gaining information and knowledge"
• "friendly and approachable staff"
• "having jobs and help to get into work under one roof"