MORE than 600 people attended the Somerset Jobs and Careers Fair held in Taunton today.

The doors are now closed at the fair, which attracted jobseekers and anyone considering their next step on the career ladder.

Organiser Sharron Kington, County Gazette recruitment sales executive, said: “We're very pleased with how it went. I hope visitors and stand holders found it as useful as we did."

The County Gazette had its own stand and was joined by Debenhams, Viridor Waste Management, the Army, the Navy, Somerset Care, Mencap, Way Ahead, Somerset Skills and Learning, Jobcentre Plus, Acacia Training, Pitman Training, Accountancy Plus and New Horizon Centre,

Michelle Watkins, resourcing team leader at Debenhams, said: “It’s gone really well. People have been interested in the variety of positions we offer and we have had a really good response for head office vacancies. We’ve taken in a lot of CVs and details from jobseekers.”

Sue Perry, training co-ordinator for Viridor, said: “We were three people deep at the stand in the morning. Some stories of redundancy from jokseekers have been heart wrenching.

“A lot of people are open to any suggestions for employment and we have so many different types of job roles available.”

Laura Truswell, area secretary for learning disability charity Mencap, which has a branch in Canon Street, Taunton, said: “It’s been really good. Some people are looking for a complete change in career while others are looking to go back to initial roots in care sector work. We have also spoken to students from university.”

John Holliday, of the New Horizon Centre, an Ilminster-based firm that looks after children with behavioural and emotional difficulties, said: “There has been a lot of interest from people who would not normally consider our line of work as a career.”

Visitor David Trout, who will be looking for work when he leaves the Army in November, said: “It’s been informative and helpful and everyone has been friendly.”

Rob Davis, of Wiveliscombe, added: “I’ve found out about some new lines of work I hadn’t considered and there was a good mix of jobs on offer.”