AN APPRENTICESHIP fair is set to inspire young people to find the career of their dreams.

The fair at Weymouth College is on Friday, March 28, from 1.30pm to 5pm.

Dorset Echo is media partner to the event, which will see dozens of exhibitors telling young people and businesses how they could benefit from becoming an apprentice or taking one on.

The fair is being organised in partnership with the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce and South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

Partners in Care is exhibiting at the fair in a bid to encourage young people to consider careers in social care.

Katie Bennett, care sector projects co-ordinator with the county-wide multi-stakeholder partnership, said social care is sometimes an after-thought as a career for young people.

She said: “We’re here to help people consider it.

“We have really strong links with local employers and training providers.

“We’re looking for individuals who are serious about going forward and are really interested in thinking about an apprenticeship.

“We have a bit of myth busting to do, a lot of people think social care is about working with older people and helping them go to the toilet.

“That’s just a small part of it when you look at the range of careers there are.”

The fair will feature a free employer exhibition area, where young people can talk to a range of apprenticeship providers.

Running alongside the fair is a speaking event where local employers will get the chance to learn more about the benefits of hiring an apprentice.

Lord Digby Jones, business ambassador at UK Trade & Investment, will be speaking at the fair along with a representative from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

Lord Jones, the former director general of the Confederation of Business Industry (CBI), will be telling business people how employing an apprentice can help improve their bottom line and increase productivity.

Guests will also hear from two panels, one consisting of current employers and one consisting of current apprentices.

If you are an employer and you would like to attend the fair or if you are interested in exhibiting (free of charge), contact Patricia Bradshaw at Weymouth College at marketing@weymouth.ac.uk or call 01305 208801.