The 2023 Laois Jobs Fair returned to the heart of Portlaoise on Monday, February 20, and was a huge success.
The now annual event attracted jobseekers, second-level students, third-level students and graduates in their droves to the Midlands Park Hotel. In excess of 1,500 people attended throughout the day.
With the tagline ‘UnLaois your full potential’ for this year’s event, 100s of roles were on offer across a variety sectors, including financial services, IT, hospitality, manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare.
In total, 43 companies and educational providers exhibited on the day, with the exhibitor hall at full capacity with significant interest throughout the day.
This year also saw a new addition, with a special stage with guest speakers presenting on topics relevant to attendees, including workplace wellbeing, information sessions on apprenticeships, traineeships, and third-level opportunities, as well as a CV and interview workshop.
This stage was a popular addition, with question and answer sessions also being facilitated.
Exhibitors at this year’s event included Laois-based companies Enva, Campion Insurance, Midland Steel, CJ Sheeran, Martley’s of Portlaoise, Powerpoint Engineering and The Heritage, to name but a few.
Attendees were also encouraged to take part in the Laois Skills Survey which was recently launched by Laois Chamber Alliance.
This survey looks at profiling the skills and qualifications of employees living in Laois, whilst identifying the key sectors those commuting outside of the county for work are currently working in.
It also asks other crucial questions, such as whether you are currently based in your workplace, or working hybrid or fully remote, as well as asking if you are currently driving to work or using public transport.
Speaking at the event, Caroline Hofman, CEO of Laois Chamber Alliance said: “We are delighted to be back again this year for the third Laois Jobs Fair, which is now proudly an annual fixture on the Laois calendar!
“This year’s event saw a huge demand from employers and jobseekers alike.
“In particular, local employers find the Laois Jobs Fair so beneficial when it comes to meeting their recruitment needs and being able to engage and meet with potential employees.
“There is a huge appetite from jobseekers to find local jobs and to learn more about the excellent educational opportunities available.
“We also had great interest from second-level students looking to find out more about apprenticeship, traineeship and third-level courses as they consider their future careers.
“We have such brilliant employers throughout the county, and the Laois Jobs Fair has again this year proved to be an extremely popular showcase. We are looking forward to returning in 2024 as there really is such a huge demand for the event.”
President of Laois Chamber Alliance, Yvonne McKeon, added: “Laois Chamber Alliance is delighted to be associated with offering great opportunities to work and live in Laois.
“The Laois Jobs Fair is a unique opportunity for jobseekers and a broad array of employers and trainers in Laois to meet in person.
“It offers a friendly and accessible space, where employers showcase their business to prospective employees.
“This year’s event showed a significant increase in the numbers of young attendees, reflecting the continuing growth in numbers of young people in Laois.
“Since the companies and organisations seeking to recruit at this year’s event are all in growth mode, it is to be hoped that many attending today will find the employment they desire in this expanding and dynamic County of Laois.”
This year’s event was sponsored by Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and Local Enterprise Office Laois, and supported by Laois Partnership with funding from the LEADER programme.
Alf Harvey was present on the day and captured some great images:
Liam Oxley on the Oxley Security Systems stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Therese Glennon (LOETB) with Aoife-Jane Hayes, Laurynas Kasperovichius and Matthew Doyle at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Emily and Steven MIller, owners of Laois Today at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Pamela Daly, Sean Galvin, Sinead Burke and William Mansfield from the Muiriosa Foundation at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Aoife Collier, Joanne Phelan and Jessica Kuehnle on the CJ Sheeran stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Siobhan Bryan and Linda Meredith on the Local Enterprise Office stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Eoin O’Brien on the South East Technological University stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ciara Gyves and Philip O’Connell on the AOCA stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Terry Byrne, Valerie O’Connell and Otmar Wullich on the Choice People stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Angela Fitzpatrick and Aishling Fitzpatrick on the Shortt Recruitment stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Margaret Corcoran on the NUA Healthcare stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Aideen Poole and Sandra Doyle on the LOETB stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Bebhinn Kennedy on the LOETB Mount Lucas stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.JP Donegan on the Heritage Hotel Killenard stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Donal Kearney on the Grow Remote stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michelle Tuohy and Olena Kryvulya on the Laois Partnership stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Irina Volia, Caitriona Ryan and Karen Chadwick on the Laois Volunteer Centre stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Pauline Dunne and Michelle de Forge on the Dunamaise Arts Centre stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Mark Davidson on the Turas Nua stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Brigid Dunne and Siobhan Bryan on the Local Enterprise Office stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Teresa Delaney, Conor Reynolds, Emma McManus and Sean Comer on the MIdlands Park Hotel stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Amie Colgan and Zoe Mortimer on the NUVO stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ciara Mulhern, Chloe Farrell and Erin Hooban on the ENVA stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Denise Ryan (transport manager) and Alison Ritchie (MD) on the PolarIce stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sean O’Donoghue and Katie Hynes on the Midland Steel stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Maria Ryan and Belinda Gyves on the People First stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Monica Middleton and Mark Martley on the Martley’s stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Caitriona Glynn and Sandra Redden on the Mochua Print & Design stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sophie Dennehy and Declan Doran on the TUS Midlands stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Marian Shalloe on the National Learning Network stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Fire Fighter Stevie Thomas and Station Officer Shusha Killeen at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Leona Wilson and Aoife Fitzpatrick on the St. Patrick’s College Carlow stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Claire Whelehan, Lisa Goldsrick and Jenny Crimmons on the Galro stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Deirdre O’Gorman and David Phelan on the Powerpoint Engineering stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Kyra Fingleton on her Glamping Under The Stars stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Lynn Kellides, Sinead Brennan, Shane Storon, John Bergin and Matt Power on the FRS stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Romina and Azalia Roe on their face painting stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Inspector Joe Culliton, Sgt Jason Hughes, Garda Andrea Byrne and Garda Michael Kilheeney on the Garda Síochána stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Erika Lewis and Fiona Donohue from Europe Direct with Eimear Ni Bhroin from the European Commission on the Europe Direct stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sarah Bowe and Paul Meade on the Campion Insurance stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Fiona Lindsay and Roisin Hogge on the Alpha Wireless stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Chris Daly and Thomas Byrne on the Byrne Custom Joinery stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Jasmine Elkhershi and Andrea Scally on the Allpro Recruitment stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald with face painter Romina Roe at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Aly Russell and Caoimhe Delaney at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Cllr James Kelly, Garda Andrea Byrne, Inspector Joe Culliton, Charles Flanagan TD; Garda Michael Kilheeney, Caroline Hofman, CEO Laois Chamber and Sgt Graham Kavanagh Crime Prevention Officer Laois/Offaly at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Laois Chamber Alliance CEO Caroline Hofman (centre) with Natasha Latiseva, Supermacs and Colm Mulrooney, Portlaoise Plaza at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Karyna Zakrevska and Emilia Chernukhina at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.TY students from Scoil Chroist Rí, Portlaoise assisting at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Tony Palmer and Tom Griffith with engineering clients on the Midlandsjobs.ie stand at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Brian Byrne and Philip O’Connell from AOCA with Laois County Council chief executive John Mulholland and Laois Chamber Alliance CEO Caroline Hofman at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Diana Alastal, Keeva Gallagher and Emma Sheehan at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Karina Kononowicz and Solvita Lozda-Manucarova at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ashleen Dudova and Tirna McCormack helping out at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.Regina Dunne, Laois Tourism Executive; Laois Chamber Alliance CEO Caroline Hofman; Laois Chamber Alliance President Yvonne McKeon and Ashleigh Doyle, Laois Chamber Director at the Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber Alliance on Monday 20th February 2023. Picture: Alf Harvey.
