A major recruitment event will give people interested in a caring role in Gloucestershire the chance to embark on a new career. Prospective candidates will be fast-tracked into job opportunities within health and social care in Gloucestershire at a ‘one stop shop’ recruitment fair at Cheltenham Racecourse on Wednesday September 28.

The event, which follows a dynamic new format, will give people the chance to walk in and get screened, registered and interviewed on the day. Candidates will be told immediately if they are successful. Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHT), NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and the independent care sector are joining forces for the initiative which aims to fill a large number of vacancies across the health and care sector locally.

Tracey Cox, Director of People, Culture and Engagement at NHS Gloucestershire said: “We believe there are many people in Gloucestershire who have the right attributes to work in the care sector but may be deterred by the application process which can be lengthy.

The event is a way for us to identify those with the talent and skills to care and support them to achieve their potential.

The process is still thorough, and the right checks will be carried out, but having everyone in one place means we can be really efficient.”

The recruitment fair includes a demo zone and a learning zone where candidates can meet health and social care employees, get information about roles and organisations and find out about career progression.

Candidates will be routed through to an interview zone where health and care partners will work from one set of questions designed to find out about prospective employees’ values, capabilities and skills. Posts on offer include mental health, community, care homes, GP practice and hospital roles.

Neil Savage, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at GHC said: “We’re excited about the potential of this event to align the right people with the right roles.

We know other areas have trialled this approach successfully and we’re keen to try the same format here.

We’ve got lots to offer at GHC and across the wider health and care system including flexible working, career development and rewarding day to day work.”

Checks will be carried out on successful candidates on the day. Anyone who is not successful will be given follow up support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and national careers service as well as local help. Candidates will be able to register their preferred organisation and working patterns which will help organisers match people to posts.

Claire Radley, Director for People and Organisational Development at GHT said: “The beauty of this event is that it gives candidates the chance to find out more about each of the health and care organisations, allowing them to decide where their skills, experiences and ambitions might best fit.

Someone could attend with plans to work for one organisation, and then end up exploring a totally different role elsewhere.

These kinds of opportunities don’t happen from the usual application process.”

Sarah Scott, Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Communities and Wellbeing at GCC said: “We’re expecting quite a buzz on the day, and we want to encourage as many people as possible to come and find out more.

Our aim is to remove barriers so that we can showcase the wealth of rewarding opportunities available in care and candidates can show what they have to offer.”

  • The event takes place on Wednesday September 28 from 08:00 to 18:00 at Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, GL50 4SH
  • Sign up for the event and find out more about the roles on offer here: https://rb.gy/ebxipo
  • Stagecoach will be offering free transport to and from the event with proof of interview.