On Thursday 4th March, the Corn Exchange in Brighton played host to our latest Media Jobs + Skill Fair.
The combination of industry-led panel sessions, training and skills information and, of course, local media companies looking to recruit attracted hundreds of attendees with some coming from as far afield as Bath. Opening the fair, Phil Jones, MD of Wired Sussex, pointed out that in the three years since it was launched, the event has grown to become the biggest of its kind in the south. He continued “This event is the perfect opportunity for local media companies to meet the talent that can help them grow and for anyone who wants to take their media career to the next level to access the information and expertise to advise them how”.
The event, which was supported by the University of Sussex (through HEFCE funding), Brighton and Hove City Council and the regional development authority, SEEDA, proved to be a resounding success, with hundred’s of courses on offer, covering everything from Media Studies to Music, and job opportunities from leading media companies across the Sussex region.
Over a thousand people passed through the doors, eager to gain careers advice, investigate further education opportunities or make face to face contact with a potential new employer.
We were on hand to help demystify the industry and leading industry figures took to the stage to talk about the Sussex Internship Programme, the different kinds of jobs in the media sector and tips on going freelance.
Making its debut at this years’ fair, the “Made In Brighton” showcase was a popular pit stop to grab a coffee and interact with some of the best media content being produced in the region.
Fresh Egg, Managing Director, Adam Stafford said “We thoroughly enjoyed the fair and met some fantastic contacts. .... There were a hoard of targeted, hungry job hunters and we have started interviewing people we met at the show”
Mick Feltham, the Curriculum Leader for Music, Performance & Theatre, Northbrook College said “The students attending were getting a real opportunity to explore careers and further training. Vocational contacts, advice and information are an essential part of preparing our students for a professional career and will increase their potential value in the jobs market”
The day concluded with a keynote talk by Dr Alek Krotoski as part of the University of Sussex’s Enterprise Thursday programme. Following the recent success of the BBC “Virtual Revolution” documentary series, Aleks gave an informative and highly personalised talk about her career to date.
The combination of industry-led panel sessions, training and skills information and, of course, local media companies looking to recruit attracted hundreds of attendees with some coming from as far afield as Bath. Opening the fair, Phil Jones, MD of Wired Sussex, pointed out that in the three years since it was launched, the event has grown to become the biggest of its kind in the south. He continued “This event is the perfect opportunity for local media companies to meet the talent that can help them grow and for anyone who wants to take their media career to the next level to access the information and expertise to advise them how”.
Over a thousand people passed through the doors, eager to gain careers advice, investigate further education opportunities or make face to face contact with a potential new employer.
We were on hand to help demystify the industry and leading industry figures took to the stage to talk about the Sussex Internship Programme, the different kinds of jobs in the media sector and tips on going freelance.
Fresh Egg, Managing Director, Adam Stafford said “We thoroughly enjoyed the fair and met some fantastic contacts. .... There were a hoard of targeted, hungry job hunters and we have started interviewing people we met at the show”
Mick Feltham, the Curriculum Leader for Music, Performance & Theatre, Northbrook College said “The students attending were getting a real opportunity to explore careers and further training. Vocational contacts, advice and information are an essential part of preparing our students for a professional career and will increase their potential value in the jobs market”
The day concluded with a keynote talk by Dr Alek Krotoski as part of the University of Sussex’s Enterprise Thursday programme. Following the recent success of the BBC “Virtual Revolution” documentary series, Aleks gave an informative and highly personalised talk about her career to date.
We'd like to thank everyone who attended the Fair, we hope you got something out of the day. We'd also like to thank all exhibitors, speakers, and sponsors for making it such a successful event.
All photos taken by Garage Studios - Brighton's Biggest Photography Studio & Training Centre