Young people in Walton on Thames helped to find work

Out of work Walton on Thames young people are being invited to attend a county specific jobs fair.

The Surrey Youth Festival tomorrow (Tuesday September 27) is aimed at unemployed young people and those seeking new opportunities as part of the council's goals of ensuring all 16 to 19-year-olds in Surrey are in education, training or employment by 2015.

It will give 16 to 24-year-olds the opportunity to apply for jobs and training or talk to a careers advisor.

Among those expected to attend the event at Epsom Racecourse (4.30pm-7pm) are Job Centre Plus, Virgin Media, East Surrey College, Guildford College, national charity the Shaw Trust, The Skills Partnership and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

Surrey has the second lowest number of young people not in education, training or employment (NEET) in the country with less than four in a hundred being classed as such. The national average is more than six in a hundred.

A drive to fill 200 apprenticeship places in 100 days, spearheaded by the county council, will be launched at the festival. The campaign aims to get businesses and other organisations to hire apprentices.*

Businesses interested in finding out more about taking on an apprentice can call Carol Squires on 01483 735540 or email carol.squires@surrey-chambers.co.uk. A list of apprenticeship places is available from the National Apprenticeship Service.

Surrey County Council leader Dr Andrew Povey said: "At a time when we are all being affected by the tough economic climate, this event will provide an invaluable opportunity for young people to meet and impress prospective employers or training organisations and see what opportunities are out there for them.

"Although the number of NEETs in Surrey is very low compared to the national average we are not complacent and our aim is make sure every young person in Surrey is working, training or learning by 2015."