IT’S a golden opportunity to find a new job at one of Hampshire’s biggest career events.

The Daily Echo Jobs Fair returns to Southampton later this month, featuring some of the south’s biggest employers.

Hundreds of jobseekers are expected to visit the free event, which this year takes place at Southampton Novotel for the first time.

And in another first this year, the Daily Echo will be running two events, with the second following in September.

The March 27 event is being sponsored by Priory Education Services, which runs special schools and colleges across the country.

A Priory spokesman said: “Priory Education Services is extremely pleased to be sponsoring and involved with this forthcoming event.

“We feel that it is an excellent opportunity for local candidates and businesses to get together under one roof and come out with positive outcomes.

“As the Schools and Children’s Homes in Southampton and the New Forest are able to offer a range of positions, the jobs fair provides us with a unique opportunity to engage with potential employees and to share our ideals and values as a business with candidates who might not normally elect to seek employment in the care industry.

“We really hope to find strong candidates for our vacancies across our Southampton and New Forest Care provisions.”

Daily Echo recruitment manager Natalie Sprake said: “There is something for everyone this year and we are giving people the chance to bypass the usual recruitment process and find out what businesses are looking for.

“We have a variety of businesses from sectors like care, education, engineering and food, and people can also get advice and tips on interviews and CVs to produce more focussed and professional applications and highlight their best qualities.

“And once again we have teamed up with the National Careers Service, which will be running seminars and one-to-one advice clinics throughout the day.”

Around 4,790 residents are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Southampton – about 2.9 per cent of the working population aged between 16 and 64.

The Daily Echo Jobs Fair runs from 10am to 3pm.