Member Article

Employers hail ‘fantastic platform’ provided by Leeds Digital Job Fair 5.0

Exhibitors were delighted by the prospective recruits of all experience levels at Leeds Digital Job Fair 5.0 after 50 employers were joined by more than 1,500 job seekers at the First Direct Arena.

Organised by Herd founder Amy De-Balsi with support from sponsors Leeds City Council, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Bruntwood SciTech and Fruition IT, the high profile gathering included a career health check service – also provided by Fruition IT - and tech talks on the Hey! conference stage.

A host of employers have spoken of the huge benefits of being together and showcasing the industry.

They include David Collings, Head of Marketing at automotive industry experts cap hpi, who said: “The Leeds Digital Job Fair gave cap hpi the opportunity to speak with lots of digitally-focused people looking for employment in the Leeds area. We had some great conversations with a variety of people, from those taking their first steps in the employment arena, all the way through to those who were looking for their next challenge.

“From the moment the doors opened, our team were busily talking with those interested in cap hpi, having some valuable time with more than 150 people on the day. Amy and the entire team were fantastic and put on an excellent event to get us in front of so many people.”

Samantha Mitchell, HR Coordinator at AHC, said: “The Digital Fair gave us a fantastic platform to showcase some of the exciting projects that we have worked on as well as an opportunity to meet enthusiastic new talent.

“There are several candidates that we have decided to progress through our recruitment process and we are excited to see where this takes us.”

Mark South, Director at Double Eleven, said: “It was a pleasure attending Leeds Digital Job Fair. It gave Double Eleven the opportunity to meet face-to-face with prospective applicants and introduce ourselves to potential employees.

“As a direct result of the event, we’ve received expressions of interest in some of our specialised technical roles.”

Samantha Wragg, Talent Acquisition Manager at twentysix, said: “We loved the Herd fair yet again this year. This was our third time exhibiting, and not only did we meet amazing and interesting potential candidates, we also found meeting other companies and contacts within the Leeds digital community fantastic.

“It was great to speak with so many young people keen to undertake a digital or technology apprenticeship and work placements as well. This highlights how our future workforce and looking to educate and develop themselves.”

Abi Aldred, HR Advisor at CNG, said: “There was a real buzz throughout the whole event, the kind where you know something really awesome is going to happen.

“It was great meeting so many like-minded, motivated people who can’t wait to take the next step in their career.

“As a company we loved being amongst other great employers, helping aspirational people to visualise the next steps on their journey.”

Amy De-Balsi, who established the Leeds Digital Job Fair in 2016, said she was thrilled by the feedback received.

She continued: “It was the most relaxed Job Fair we’ve staged so far and the informality – which is a characteristic of the Leeds digital sector – really helped employers and potential recruits to properly chat on the day.

“There was also an increased number of experienced tech professionals present which offered employers the chance to showcase the wide range of vacancies and career progression opportunities available for candidates at all levels.

“My aim is always to raise the bar at every Leeds Digital Job Fair and we succeeded once again.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barry White .