There were companies as far as the eye could see – and plenty of activity between the stands – as this year’s Apprenticeship and Job Fair took over MAGION in Grindsted today.
A total of 107 companies took part, bringing around 400 vacant jobs and 575 apprenticeship and trainee positions.
And the interest was clear to see. There was plenty of activity around the LEGO stand, for example, where visitors could find out about apprenticeships in a wide range of different trades.
The many companies and even more opportunities also highlight a slightly curious job market in Billund Municipality: There aren’t many people out of work – but there are a lot of vacant positions.
– We’re looking for people, that is, employees. We have student positions, full-time jobs, part-time jobs and flex-job positions. The whole range. You could say there’s work for everyone, said Lars Hansen, chair of the Committee for Youth, Employment, Culture and Volunteering.
Enthusiastic committee chair has a message for young people
He was delighted that the fair had brought together 107 companies this year.
– It’s incredible, and the number just keeps going up. When I walk around and talk to a company, they say it’s incredibly professionally organised, said Lars Hansen, who gave much of the credit to the municipal staff behind the fair.
But the fair wasn’t just about matching someone looking for work with a job here and now. It was also meant to show young people that opportunities for both education and a future in the labour market are right nearby.
– You really don’t have to go very far. You can get an apprenticeship in a trade here. You can continue your education here, said Lars Hansen.
The search for the tradespeople of the future
At Kemp & Lauritzen, skills talent manager Kenneth H. Vogn was one of those trying to get young people to stop and take a closer look at the skilled trades.
– Really, we’d like to inspire people to take an interest in the trades. It’s not that we need to hire every one of them. Of course, some are looking for an apprenticeship, and we also have a few vacancies right now, he said.
He has actually seen growing interest in vocational education and training.
– Last year, we put a huge amount of effort into telling people that becoming a tradesperson is really cool. And it’s worked, too. Vocational programmes have taken on more students, said Kenneth H. Vogn.
Even so, many more skilled workers will be needed in the coming years. Among other things, he pointed to an estimate that there will be a shortage of around 9,000 electricians in five years.
Of course, girls can become electricians too
And there’s one group he’d really like to see more of considering the trades: girls.
There are lots of people, especially girls, who come over and say: “Well, I can’t do that.” Then I usually ask: What would you like to do? Would you like to sit in front of a computer all day, or would you rather use your hands, get out and meet different people, and work in different places every day? says Kenneth H. Vogn.
According to Kenneth H. Vogn, women still make up only around 8-10 percent of the trades he works with.
So even though Thursday’s fair ended after four hours at MAGION, the task is a longer-term one: helping both young people and adults see the many job and education opportunities the companies have to offer.
