THE countdown is well and truly on for Hampshire’s premier jobs event.

Nearly 30 firms will be exhibiting at the Daily Echo Jobsfair at the Hotel Novotel West Quay Road in Southampton on Thursday, luring jobseekers with attractive offers for jobs, apprentices or opportunities for further education or training.

More than 1,000 people are expected to turn up to the event, which sees companies from across the south offering vacancies or advice.

Firms from a diverse range of backgrounds and industries – from the armed forces and financial industries, to catering and health sectors – will be represented at the fair, which runs from 10am to 3pm.

Firms such as Bupa Care, the Army, Capita Group, LSL Property Services, Autism Hampshire and the Daily Echo will be there.

Other exhibitors include New Forest Care, All Care, Vista Healthcare, National Fostering, Carnival group, and defence firm QinetiQ.

Elizabeth Pallett, who works for Solent NHS Trust, is one of those who was at the event in March and found a valuable candidate to add to her team.

She said: “The day was very successful; we had a lot of interest in our organisation. “We had a really good response in relation to our bank posts available and have since taken on a new member of staff as a result of this event.”

The National Careers Service will be giving words of wisdom to jobseekers with seminars on CVs, making effective job searches, succeeding at interviews and returning to work.

JobCentre Plus will be there to provide further advice.

Sparsholt College and other training providers will also have stands giving people the chance to find out more about apprenticeships, training schemes and further education.

Daily Echo recruitment manager Natalie Sprake said Thursday’s event was a chance not to be missed.

She said: “Back in March we saw more than 1,300 people make their way down to the jobs fair and this year we are expecting even more people to turn up.

“This will be a golden opportunity for show off your skills and impress your future boss.

“Yes, the competition will be fierce, but you can also get some great advice from experts who know how hard it is to secure that job.

“All it takes is a few hours of your time so make sure you can be there.

“You never know, you could get that job you’ve been looking for.”