Initiated and coordinated by ERSA, Employability Day presents an opportunity for the whole sector to come together and demonstrate the impactful work on individuals and communities.
This year’s theme is Inactivity to Opportunity to Good Work.
Our Employer Relationship Manager, Neil Pedersen, has written about the Joined Up for Business jobs fairs which connect job seekers with recruiting employers in Edinburgh.
Earlier this month, the Joined Up For Business team marked a major milestone by hosting their ninth Community Job Fair, this time at the Carrickvale Community Centre. What started just a year ago as a small local initiative has grown into a powerful citywide movement connecting job seekers with employers—right in the heart of their communities.
The first Community Job Fair took place in June 2023 in Gilmerton, with a simple but powerful idea: bring job opportunities into local neighbourhoods. Feedback from job seekers showed that large city centre events could feel overwhelming or inaccessible. Smaller, community-based fairs offered a friendlier, more familiar space to explore employment options.
In that first year alone, the fairs expanded to Newington, Gorgie, and Muirhouse, drawing in 260 job seekers. The momentum only grew. In the second year, the team took the fairs to Broomhouse, Craigmillar, Leith, and South Edinburgh, welcoming 625 job seekers through the doors.
As the fairs evolved, they became more than just a place to find work. They became a hub for advice, support, and connection. Thanks to strong partnerships with organisations like Community Renewal, Leith Jobcentre, and Space, the fairs began to attract not just employers but also support services.
This led to the development of Job and Advice Fairs, where job seekers could also access guidance on everything from interview preparation to benefits advice. Support services like Smartworks, Citizens Advice Bureau, Thrive, and Home Energy Scotland joined the mix, helping attendees tackle the wider challenges of getting back into work.
Employers from a broad spectrum of industries have been enthusiastic participants. Previous fairs have featured opportunities in:
Feedback from employability providers across Edinburgh has been overwhelmingly positive. They’ve told us that these events are not only practical—they’re confidence-building. Meeting employers face-to-face helps job seekers feel more prepared and more motivated to apply.
Looking ahead to 2025/26, the fairs are taking a more sector-specific approach. The recent event at Carrickvale focused on Healthcare, Social Care, and Childcare—three vital sectors with ongoing demand for skilled and compassionate workers.
As we approach the festive season, plans are underway for a Retail and Hospitality-focused fair, recognising the seasonal hiring opportunities and long-term career pathways in those sectors.
Want to stay in the loop? Keep an eye on our website and follow us on social media for all the latest updates on upcoming events.
Neil Pedersen, Employer Relationship Manager, reflects on Joined Up for Business jobs fairs for Employability Day 2025.
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