Hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities are waiting to be filled by a wide range of employers on the lookout for their next recruit.
The West Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (WMAAN) is bringing together scores of organisations to showcase their apprenticeship vacancies - from hairdressing to construction, IT or sales to engineering.
The exhibition is open to anyone aged over 15 looking to embark on a new career, as well as parents, teachers and assessors.
Exhibitors at the event, being held at Vale Park in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday February 5, include services such as the police, fire and rescue, and NHS as well as a variety of businesses committed to developing the next generation workforce.
Apprenticeships combine workplace learning and training with practical experience and the chance to gain professional qualifications. The WMAAN apprenticeship fair will give potential recruits the chance to find out more about the positions available and the journey ahead of them.
Employers and training providers will also share information with education professionals to ensure they are up to date with all the latest developments in apprenticeships.
And the right candidates could even come away from the event signed up for the apprenticeship of their dreams as more than 250 vacancies will be up for grabs.
Jenny Johnston, apprenticeship ambassador and training and development manager at Newcastle-under-Lyme engineering firm KMF, said the exhibition offers the perfect opportunity to find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships.
She said: "Apprenticeships offer anyone aged 16-plus a really interesting and exciting way into their chosen career. As well as gaining recognised qualifications and essential skills, apprentices earn a wage while working in their chosen field.”
"Across the West Midlands we are very fortunate to have hundreds of employers who support apprenticeships and who want to ensure the next wave of professionals have the very best start to their careers.
"The WMAAN apprenticeship fair offers the perfect opportunity for potential recruits to raise any questions they might have and for supporters, teachers and parents to find out about the programmes available."
The WMAAN exhibition takes place on Wednesday February 5 from 10am until 8pm.
It coincides with National Apprenticeship Week when employers and training providers across the UK come together to celebrate the achievements of apprentices while dispelling common misconceptions.
Jenny added: "The WMAAN exhibition comes at the perfect time, when employers are looking to take on new apprentices and there is a real buzz in business and industry about the potential that can be achieved.
"Vale Park is a brilliant community venue and we are so looking forward to welcoming people through the doors as they set off on their 'perfect match' career path."