Nearly 1,000 people toured Wiltshire’s biggest careers fair in search of a new job or a young apprenticeship.

The hundreds of people who browsed the 48 stalls at the fair on the Melksham Community Campus on Friday (January 19) were able to obtain advice and help from a wide range of companies, international, national, regional and local.

They included Fawaaz Khawar, 18, a former pupil of Melksham Oak School, who was looking for an engineering apprenticeship.

He said: “I have found it pretty good. It has been pretty useful I think.

“I have spoken to mostly the ones in engineering but I have looked at other ones as well, such as pharmacy.”

Wiltshire Times: Former Melksham Oak student Fawaaz Khawar at the careers fair interested in a young apprenticeship in engineering. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519-15Former Melksham Oak student Fawaaz Khawar at the careers fair interested in a young apprenticeship in engineering. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519-15 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Emma Newton, of the Dick Lovett Group, which has a new flagship BMW and Mini dealership at Melksham and a bodyshop in Swindon, said: “It has been absolutely fantastic today.

"We have spoken to loads of young people looking for apprenticeships and some people who are looking for career changes. It’s been an absolutely fab day and we have met loads of really lovely people.”

Wiltshire Times: Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan tries out protective body armour and helmet as she discussed career opportunities within the army recruitment team officer Nathan Greenan. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519 Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan tries out protective body armour and helmet as she discussed career opportunities within the army recruitment team officer Nathan Greenan. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Nathan Greenam, of the British Army’s Royal Engineers recruiting office in Swindon, said: "There has been a lot of interest in engineering and medical roles.

“The majority of people who have spoken to us have been under the age of 18, boys and girls, so we have got two female soldiers here with us today who are passing on their knowledge about being female in the army.

“Obviously, every generation is different but the good thing about being a soldier is that whatever your background or where your ability is everyone gets to the same goal at the end."

Wiltshire Times: Charlotte Saunders, of Stonegate Farmers, talks to MP Michelle Donelan about jobs in the egg producing industry. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519-13Charlotte Saunders, of Stonegate Farmers, talks to MP Michelle Donelan about jobs in the egg producing industry. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519-13 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Alysia Lacey, of Stonegate Farmers at Lacock, said: “The interest has been really great. They are enquiring a lot about apprenticeships and work experience, in particular our agriculture side.

“We have got a lot of applications and information that we now need to follow up.”

One man who has succeeded in his young apprenticeship with Melksham-based rail systems manufacturer Knorr-Bremse is Kieran Charlesworth, 20, from Melksham.

Wiltshire Times: Just out of apprenticeship: Kieran Charlesworth chats to Michelle Donelan about his role with Knorr-Bremse in Melksham. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519-14Just out of apprenticeship: Kieran Charlesworth chats to Michelle Donelan about his role with Knorr-Bremse in Melksham. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519-14 (Image: Trevor Porter)

He started with the company on a four-year apprenticeship after leaving Corsham School in 2019 and is now studying for an HNC/HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

He said: “I have just completed my four-year apprenticeship and I am now a process engineer.

“I am now doing my HNC/HND and I hope to study for a degree in manufacturing. The company have been very supportive in paying for my education and my fuel.

“It has been absolutely brilliant for me. I like it.”

Wiltshire Times: L-R: Rebecca Thorn and Lucy Johnson of Wincanton in Chippenham reported a good response from young people who attended the careers fair.L-R: Rebecca Thorn and Lucy Johnson of Wincanton in Chippenham reported a good response from young people who attended the careers fair. (Image: John Baker)

Lucy Johnson, from the giant logistics company Wincanton in Chippenham, said: “We have had a really good response from a range of age groups from schoolchildren to college sixth form, right through to older people looking for a career change.

“There has been real interest shown in the business and our range of careers so it has been really valuable for us."

The fair was co-organised and hosted by local MPs Michelle Donelan from Chippenham and Danny Kruger from Devizes.

Wiltshire Times: MPs Danny Kruger and Michelle Donelan host Wiltshire’s biggest careers fair at the Melksham Community Campus. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519-5MPs Danny Kruger and Michelle Donelan host Wiltshire’s biggest careers fair at the Melksham Community Campus. Photo: Trevor Porter 50519-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Miss Donelan, who is also the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “We have had so much interest today from lots of people of different ages and stages.

“They include those who are just starting out and looking for apprenticeships and those who are later in life and looking to reskill or upskill.

“The feedback has been incredible from young people and those later on, saying everybody has been so helpful."

Danny Kruger added: “The show has been really impressive. I am very impressed with the quality of jobs on offer.

“I am also encouraged by the different range of businesses that are in the area that give really good opportunities to young people.”