MORE than 500 young people and 25 employers attended a careers fair at Bishop Auckland College.

A range of employers from sectors including engineering and manufacturing, food, hospitality and social housing were represented at the event, held at the college’s main campus in Woodhouse Lane.

Many were promoting current vacancies, making the fair a good opportunity for more than 500 full and part time students to discuss potential career options.

Sophie Cornwell, a recruitment consultant for teacher recruitment agency Vision for Education, said: “We are on the lookout for supply teachers, classroom support staff and permanent teaching staff for jobs in primary, secondary and special needs schools.

“We were therefore grateful to attend the careers fair at Bishop Auckland College, which we know provides training in a range of areas including teaching. We had a lot of interest from students and it was a very successful day.”

Stephanie Nattrass, head of student services at the college, added: “We were delighted that so many employers were able to join us and put real jobs on the table in front of our students.”

Other organisations in attendance included Hitachi, livin, Dale and Valley Homes, Innovations, Bell Truck and Van, Durham County Council, Ebac, the armed forces, Sainsbury’s, Emergency Medical Services, Adventure Valley, Mears, Trimmers, Bromack, Audi Benfield Motor Group, Gentoo, Premier Community Care, National Citizen Service, Headlam Hall Hotel and Thrills and Skills for Life.