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Leeds HA confirms its first Careers Fair to take place. By Harry Palmer September 4, 2026 Big name employers including Leeds United FC, Arriva, Equans and First Response Group have joined leading training providers Bradford College, Lifelong Learning Centre and Catch 22, together with the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, in signing up to exhibit at the inaugural Unity Careers Fair next month. The free event, organised by prominent BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise, will take place on Tuesday 22 September from noon - 5.30pm at the Ramgarhia Sports Centre on Chapeltown Road in Leeds. Jobs, training, careers advice, training and volunteering opportunities will be on offer from employers and agencies. A series of guest speakers will also give talks on a range of employment-related topics throughout the day. Attendees will include Leeds City Council Leader Cllr James Lewis, Deputy Leader Cllr Salma Arif, West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Baroness Alison Lowe OBE, and local ward councillors. Sean Kelly, Unity Homes and Enterprise Regeneration Manager, said: "This is a fantastic event for anyone seeking work, a change in career, an apprenticeship, training or returning to work. "Housing Executive is excited by the quality of employers and trainers who have already signed up with numerous vacancies on offer. "There is still some space for a few more stalls and I would ask other prospective exhibitors to get in touch as soon as possible to avoid missing out." Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: "The first Unity Careers Fair is a landmark moment for Housing Executive as a BME housing association committed to working with local communities to boost their life prospects. "Its award-winning Employment Services team are experts in helping people to gain employment and training opportunities. "Working with key partners, this event will enable them to do this on a much larger scale with many lives hopefully changed for the better." Although entry is free of charge, numbers are limited and attendees are strongly encouraged to reserve their place by logging on to Eventbrite and entering 'Unity Careers Fair.' Employers interested in hosting a stall are invited to email [email protected] for further details.

Solihull youngsters get boost on to career ladder. YOUNGSTERS who have been unemployed and claiming Universal Credit for 18 months or more are being offered paid work placements. A new pilot programme working with local employers has been launched across Birmingham and Solihull to create opportunities for young people to enter the workplace. The Jobs Guarantee programme is being delivered by Catch22 following selection by the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP), with the aim of helping those aged between 18 and 21 who are out of work into sustainable employment. The West Midlands is one of five pilot sites, with the scheme also being rolled out in Manchester, Hertfordshire/Essex, South Wales, and Scotland. In the West Midlands pilot, Catch22 will support 275 young people into fully subsidised six-month work placements with local employers. Working closely with Jobcentre Plus, young people will be referred directly into the programme and supported into employment opportunities that build skills, confidence and long-term prospects. For employers, Jobs Guarantee: West Midlands offers a straightforward route to filling vacancies, with funding covering up to 25 hours per week at national minimum wage and support from Catch22 and partners to guide employers through the process. Once enrolled in the programme, Catch22 will provide one-to-one employment support to every young person it places, in line with a commitment to helping people sustain in good jobs. Through the programme, young people will receive two weeks of intensive pre placement support, followed by ongoing in-work wraparound from a dedicated Career Coach. They can also access a £300 bursary, and specialist mental health support to help them to sustain in work. Catch22 is delivering the pilot in partnership with Supplytrain CIC, who bring extensive experience of employer engagement from the Kickstart programme, and West Midlands employment charity Sport 4 Life UK, strengthening local delivery and routes into work. Andy Canniford, chief officer for Impact and Growth at Catch22, said: "Far too many young people face barriers when trying to secure long-term employment, and the longer someone remains out of work, the more challenging it can become to build a successful career. "In delivering DWP's Jobs Guarantee programme we are investing in young people's potential through by combining paid employment with personalised support, helping participants gain the skills, experience and self-belief needed to succeed in today's workplace. "We're proud to be delivering the Birmingham and Solihull pilot with our partners, working closely with Jobcentre Plus and local employers to create meaningful placements that open the door to sustainable employment." Further information on the programme, including how to express interest in employing a young person through the Jobs Guarantee: West Midlands programme, can be found on the pilot's website. Young person referrals can be made through Jobcentre Plus in the coming weeks. More Stories