Mid-life career changes to family tragedy – the people looking for work at North Lincolnshire’s biggest jobs fair

Hundreds of people climbing the career ladder or looking to break into the job market turned up for North Lincolnshire’s biggest ever jobs fair.

Some were pursuing dreams or returning to work after major life events.

Others were looking for their next role that would leave them with more cash in their pocket.

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Many of the area’s biggest employers – including North Lincolnshire Council, EMJ Plastics, Wren Kitchens and 2 Sisters – were looking for candidates, with thousands of jobs on offer at Scunthorpe’s Baths Hall.

Job-seekers spoke about what their next position would mean for them.

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Rob Quinn, 42, said: “I gave up my job to care for my mother who had cancer. She has sadly died now, so I am looking to get back into work.

“I’ve had a pretty varied career – I have been a rollercoaster engineer at Fantasy Island, served in the Armed Forces and worked on the doors.

“I’m not too bothered what my next job is, as long as the hours aren’t ridiculous. I’m done working 100 hour weeks.

“You still see places advertising 40 hours as part time, which is too much when you’ve got a family.”

Gary Dolby was looking for a permanent role after feeling let down by agencies.

“I know there are lots of jobs available at the moment, I’m just looking for one that suits me,” he said.

“My only requirement is that it’s not through an agency – I’ve had bad experiences where they rip you off and never give you what you’re owed. I must have lost £1600 through different people short changing me.

“Over the last 34 years, I’ve worked as a double glazer and in a variety of food factories, so I have got the skills.

“I could walk out of here with three or four jobs if I wanted, but I’m hoping for one that is a step up.”

Simona Kirdulyte, 29, was hoping to pursue a long-time ambition.

“I have always really wanted to work in the police or prison service,” she said.

“So far I have worked in hairdressing or social work, so I’m hoping that people will be able to tell me how to get experience and take a step in the direction I really want.”

Sarah Brown said: “I am changing my career for something less physically demanding due to health reasons. It’s important to me that the new job is accommodating and less active, as I can’t keep lifting people like my previous job.”

Abid Khan, a Scunthorpe community leader, said: “It’s tough for young people to get a job at the moment if they’re just starting out. I work with a lot of youths in the Crosby and Town wards, and I am here to see what opportunities are available for them.

“They might feel they don’t have the necessary skills to go into the career they want, but some would really benefit from the apprenticeships where they can work as they learn.

“Having a push in the right direction could really give them that boost in confidence.”

Josh Walshe, a local councillor and the owner of Walshe’s Property, said the expo was helping to put them in touch with the candidates they needed.

“Like a lot of businesses, we struggled to recruit the people we needed during the pandemic,” he said.

“We have some trainee and mortgage advisor positions open.

“Hopefully we will be able to fill our vacancies today. We’ve had several good leads who we will be getting in touch with.

“It’s been encouraging how people of all ages are interested, whether they are just starting out or looking for a career change.”

Jason Frary, Scunthorpe Station Manager at Humberside Fire and Rescue, was hoping to encourage a wider range of candidates to apply.

“We have a full time position coming up, which is a wonderful opportunity that doesn’t happen very often, along with seven on-call roles across North Lincolnshire,” he said.

“The communities we serve are very diverse and we would like our crews to look the same.

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“We would really like to encourage women and people from under-represented groups to apply.

“It’s not an easy recruitment process and the best person on the day will still get the job, but if you don’t put your name forward, we can’t select you.”

Wren Kitchens also said that they had hundreds of positions available in the showrooms across the country, as well as a new customer service centre on the Foxhills Industrial Estate.

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