Health and social care careers festival for island

The event is aimed at helping potential new recruits learn more about working in the sector

A major health and social care careers festival is to be held on the Isle of Wight.

The event at the Lord Louis Library in Newport on 18 September has been organised to help potential new recruits learn more about working in the health and social care sector.

Isle of Wight Council and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust will be among the organisations advertising roles and work opportunities.

Private and independent care and health providers from across the island will also be present.

During the event, which takes place from 10:00 to 14:00 BST, attendees will be able to ask questions and meet those already working in the sector.

Visitors will be able to find out about current vacancies, flag their interest and have a first interview.

Debbie Andre, the council's cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said: "A career in care and health offers a great deal of reward, not just from the impact you can have on the lives of people living in our community, but also from the professional development, amazing co-workers, career progression and great employee benefits available."

Teresa Gaudion, learning, development and careers lead, said: "There are over 350 careers in the NHS, ranging from estates and facilities, nursing, health care sciences, medicine and more."

She said attending career fairs was a good way to meet people and share more information about working in the NHS and to "be able to develop our workforce for the future".

More than 800 people visited the festival last year, with interviews and job offers given throughout the event.