INVERCLYDE'S MP was delighted at the huge numbers of young people who turned up a recent jobs fair at Greenock Town Hall.

Greenock Telegraph:

School leavers and over 16s were among the hundreds filing into the event which brought together some of the biggest employers in the area under the same roof as job seekers.

The jobs fair came after Mr Cowan recently raised concerns about the high levels of youth unemployment in the district.

This was the second event fair this year following a signficant number of job losses in Inverclyde.

MP Ronnie Cowan said: "It was really positive to see the sheer amount of young people who turned up.

"These youngsters will be entering the workforce soon, and matching them to companies or training providers is what this is all about.

"Jobs and apprenticeships are vital for our young people in Inverclyde."

He now wants to establish spring and autumn jobs fairs as regular events.

Clydeview Academy pupils Ellie McFadyen, Summer Cuffe and Amy Bryson, all in fifth year, used the opportunity to find out what opportunties were out there.

Summer said: "We are all thinking about what we want to do when we leave school, this was a chance to see what careers there are.

"We also had the chance to look for part time jobs to support us as well. We took the chance to speak to Starbucks."

The jobs fair was run by Skills Development Scotland and Inverclyde Council, supported by MP Mr Cowan.

He sais: "It was great to see hundreds of people turn out and so many companies and organisations represented.

"I had some really good discussions with jobseekers who were able to outline some of the challenges they are facing, and equally, I was able to gain an insight in to what employers are looking for.

"I took the opportunity to talk with as many stakeholders as I could without getting in the way of the most important people there, the jobseekers. 

"I was impressed with the range of opportunities on offer and there was a healthy mix of help and advice regarding the best route into employment and direct job opportunities from local employers.

"It was good to see so many of the employers that had attended the spring jobs fair returning this time."

The jobs fair comes after Amazon, IBM and plastics firm Berry BPI announced closures.

Mr Cowan added: "Jobs remains the single most beneficial factor in improving mental and physical health. 

"We are living in difficult times and employment helps to provide stability.

"It is my intention to continue with the current model and establish the spring and autumn jobs fair as permanent events in Inverclyde’s diary."