Jobs fair to provide the opportunity to build a new career in construction

Hundreds of jobs with some of the region’s biggest construction companies will be up for grabs next month at a major jobs fair in Birmingham.

The Construction Jobs Fair on Thursday October 6 at Edgbaston Stadium is being organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to give people the chance to meet employers, training providers and colleges face-to-face and potentially be interviewed for a role on the very same day.

The event boasts more than 40 stands with major employers including Balfour Beatty, Doocey Group, Balfour Beatty Vinci JV HS2 and Tilbury Douglas taking part. They will be actively recruiting at the event and those attending are advised to bring along an up-to-date CV.

The annual recruitment requirement in the West Midlands of 2.7% per year is above the UK average of 2.0% and means an extra 30,050 workers will be needed from 2022 to 2026.

More than 30,000 construction workers are needed across the West Midlands over the next five years, according to research for the WMCA by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

This is being driven in part by more than £12bn of major infrastructure and housing projects including HS2, light rail extensions and levelling up funded schemes.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: "As we seek to supercharge our region’s post pandemic recovery, jobs fairs form an important part of our efforts to connect local talent with employment options.

“The Construction Jobs Fair is the latest in a series of events to help us do just that – whether we’re helping people to get back into work or change career entirely. It’s a great way to discover the vacancies on offer as well as the training and apprenticeship opportunities that are out there.

“I encourage those looking for work to come and see for themselves all that is available. You might even walk away with a brand-new career by the end of your visit. I cannot wait to see lives changed for the better.”

The Fair has been organised in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and the National Careers Service. It is being sponsored by Balfour Beatty, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Midlands (CECA), Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA).  

Jon Kiteley, Balfour Beatty area director, said: “We are delighted to partner with the West Midlands Combined Authority to help promote the abundance of diverse careers available within the industry and tackle the current skills shortage the UK construction sector faces.

“We hope that the jobs fair will engage and inspire the future generation of engineers and construction professionals – helping connect the local demand for labour with supply.”

Cllr George Duggins, WMCA Portfolio Holder for Productivity and Skills, and leader of Coventry City Council, said: “The Construction Jobs Fair is a fantastic opportunity for people to not only meet local employers but actually have job interviews right there on the day.

“As we continue to rebuild our economy following Covid-19, there are some fantastic opportunities for people to land jobs with good pay and promising career prospects within our construction industry.

“I’d encourage anyone who may have lost their job as a result of the pandemic, or is just looking for a new career path, to go along to the Fair.”

Young people under 18 are invited to attend the Fair at Edgbaston Stadium (home of Warwickshire Cricket Club) in Edgbaston Road, Birmingham B5 7QU from 10am - 11.45am. They can register their attendance in advance at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/construction-jobs-fair-16-to-18-years-old-sign-up-6-october-2022-tickets-400120088957

The event will then open to the wider public at 12pm. They can register their attendance at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/construction-jobs-fair-residents-sign-up-6-october-2022-tickets-399973600807