TRAFFORD’S largest jobs fair took place on September 12 at Hotel Football, the second year it has been held.

More than 500 jobs were on offer from the 40 businesses that were in attendance including Amazon, Virgin Media, Think Money and intu Trafford Centre.

The event was hosted free of charge by former Manchester United captain, Gary Neville, who as one of the hotel’s owners wanted to show his support in helping local people secure employment in the area.

He said: “We are happy to support Trafford Jobs Fair, it is important to us to help young people into work and offer them an opportunity to gain experience in the hotel industry. When we signed the Trafford Pledge it was to fulfil the commitment we made and to look within the local community and give youth a chance.”

The fair also saw Wilmott Partnership Homes as the latest business to sign the Trafford Pledge. Wilmott Partnership Homes, the construction company responsible for the development of the Limelight project in Old Trafford, has been working in partnership with Trafford Council offering a range of work and training opportunities to Trafford residents on the site.

Speaking at the fair, Cllr Sean Anstee, leader of Trafford Council said: "We are committed to working with other agencies, partners and businesses to improve job opportunities for local unemployed people. It has been so encouraging to see the huge difference the Pledge is making in providing over 700 jobs so far. “I would like to thank all the businesses attending the Fair and Wilmott Partnership Homes for signing up to the Pledge, as well as Hotel Football for their kind sponsorship of the event.”

The Trafford Jobs Fair is one of a schedule of events being delivered to support people into work. The next event will be an Altrincham jobs fair to be held at Altrincham Town Hall on September 29 between 11-3pm. Anyone interested in attending can register for a free place by emailing employment@trafford.gov.uk or by calling the economic growth team on 0161 912 4176.