Huge demand for jobs and employees at Laois Jobs Fair

There was a huge demand for jobs and iMore than 1,500 jobseekers, students and graduates descended on Portlaoise for the 2023 Laois Jobs Fair hosted by the Laois Chamber Alliance.

With the tagline ‘UnLaois your full potential’ for this year’s event,  Laois Chamber says hundreds of roles were on offer across a variety sectors, including financial services, IT, hospitality, manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare. In total, 43 companies and educational providers exhibited at the Midlands Park Hotel, with the exhibitor hall at full capacity with significant interest throughout the day.

This year also saw a new addition, with a special stage with guest speakers presenting on topics relevant to attendees, including workplace wellbeing, information sessions on apprenticeships, traineeships, and third-level opportunities, as well as a CV and interview workshop. This stage was a popular addition, with question and answer sessions also being facilitated.

Attendees on February  21, were also encouraged to take part in the Laois Skills Survey which was recently launched by Laois Chamber Alliance.

This survey looks at profiling the skills and qualifications of employees living in Laois, whilst identifying the key sectors those commuting outside of the county for work are currently working in. It also asks other crucial questions, such as whether you are currently based in your workplace, or working hybrid or fully remote, as well as asking if you are currently driving to work or using public transport.

Caroline Hofman, CEO of Laois Chamber Alliance said there was a noticeably big demand for jobs and information among those who came.

"This year’s event saw a huge demand from employers and jobseekers alike. In particular, local employers find the Laois Jobs Fair so beneficial when it comes to meeting their recruitment needs and being able to engage and meet with potential employees. MORE BELOW PICTURE

"There is a huge appetite from jobseekers to find local jobs and to learn more about the excellent educational opportunities available. We also had great interest from second-level students looking to find out more about apprenticeship, traineeship and third-level courses as they consider their future careers.

"We have such brilliant employers throughout the county, and the Laois Jobs Fair has again this year proved to be an extremely popular showcase. We are looking forward to returning in 2024 as there really is such a huge demand for the event,” she said.

President of Laois Chamber Alliance, Yvonne McKeon, said Laois Chamber Alliance is delighted to be associated with offering great opportunities to work and live in Laois.

"The Laois Jobs Fair is a unique opportunity for jobseekers and a broad array of employers and trainers in Laois to meet in person. It offers a friendly and accessible space, where employers showcase their business to prospective employees. This year’s event showed a significant increase in the numbers of young attendees, reflecting the continuing growth in numbers of young people in Laois. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"Since the companies and organisations seeking to recruit at this year’s event are all in growth mode, it is to be hoped that many attending  today will find the employment they desire in this expanding and dynamic County of Laois,” she said.

Exhibitors included Laois-based companies Enva, Campion Insurance, Midland Steel, CJ Sheeran, Martley’s of Portlaoise, Powerpoint Engineering and The Heritage, to name but a few.  

IN PICTURES: Laois businesses looking for employees at the Laois Jobs Fair

This year’s event was sponsored by Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and Local Enterprise Office Laois, and supported by Laois Partnership with funding from the LEADER programme.