EMPLOYMENT rates may be close to at an all time high but there was a steady stream of visitors the Echo Jobs Fair at Southampton’s O2 Guildhall.

Yesterday’s free event featured stands from more 30 organisation dispensing information in careers and training opportunities.

Most of the employers were keen to stress that enthusiasm and a good attitude were more important than experience.

Among the first time exhibitors are retail giants Lidl who are looking for staff for their massive Nursling distribution centre as well as shop assistants and cleaners.

Manning the stand was Martyn Crutchley, Lidl’s regional recruiter for Southampton and surrounding area, who explained that the Nursling depot employed around 300 staff, and serviced 53 stores across the region.

Lidl are expanding and have recently been given the go ahead for a new store at Hythe and have plans for a larger shop in Shirley, which will mean more work for the distribution hub which has been “future proofed” and is currently operating at 80 per cent capacity.

Martyn stressed Lidl offered career progression and many of the top managers had started on the shopfloor.

Chrysie Spurrier, an assistant operations manager with Bluestar and Unilink, started as a conductress and three months later found herself on a bus driving course.

She was at the fair to recruit drivers which are in short supply currently.

“I drove a bus for 15 years and loved it. Your are you own boss and there is a different ‘picture’ every day out of the window.

Solent Gateway, which runs the former military port at Marchwood, is also making its Job Fair debut. The firm is looking for port operatives but are also looking to staff who will also be Sponsored Reserves who can be transferred to the Army when required.

The care sector was strongly represented. Cinnamon Care Collection, who employ more than 300 locally, were recruiting carers for their homes at Romsey, Lyndhurst and Netley.

Moira Baxter, who manages the company’ Hartwood House facility in Lyndhurst, said they were keen to find applicants with “emotional intelligence” and “maturity”.

In a bid to help their staff Cinnamon even run their own minibus service for employees who don’t have a car and cannot rely on public transport.

CPN Construction Services supply a full range of staff to the building industry from humble hod carriers through to site managers.

Business development director Max Perceau said demand was high: “Construction is flying at the moment at that a good barometer for the health of the wider economy.”

CPN is itself expanding and looking to employ more consultants in its Southampton offices.