Over 700 students kickstart their careers at University of Chester’s Part-time Jobs Fair

Held as part of Welcome Week, the event, organised by the University’s Careers and Employability team, brought together 35 trusted employers from across Chester, Cheshire and the North West. Students were able to meet recruiters face-to-face, discover paid vacancies and access advice from careers and money experts – all in one bustling and welcoming space. 

From hospitality and retail to health and social care, education, leisure and the creative industries, the event showcased an impressive range of roles — from Support Workers and Tutors to Lifeguards, Retail Assistants and Student Ambassadors. Employers included household names such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Brio Leisure, Storyhouse, Wrexham AFC, the RAF and Cheshire West and Chester Council, alongside local charities, care providers, and University-run opportunities such as UniJob, paid work for our students working on campus for the university, and Chester Internships. Many students also took advantage of CV checks and application advice from Career Consultants and visited the Money Advice Team for financial guidance and budgeting support. 

Sophia Hatton, Recruitment Administrator at New Directions Education, said: “It was great to meet so many enthusiastic students and have the opportunity to discuss the roles and pathways we can offer at New Directions Education. We really appreciated how well-organised and welcoming the day was — it made engaging with students so easy and enjoyable. We’ll definitely keep the University updated if we’re successful in recruiting any students from the event and I’m confident we will do!”  

Kimberley Price, Meetings and Events Manager for The Chester Grosvenor Hotel, added: “We were delighted by the level of engagement and interest we received from attendees throughout the day. It was fantastic to meet so many motivated students and job seekers eager to learn more about The Chester Grosvenor Hotel. The atmosphere was welcoming and professional, which made it easy for us to connect with potential candidates and share insights about our opportunities.”

Students praised the Part-time Jobs Fair as “well organised and amazing,” highlighting its “friendly people,” “wide range of employers,” and “diverse opportunities” for all experience levels. Many said they gained valuable advice, new contacts, and even multiple job offers — with one international student calling it “a very good opportunity” at a time when many are struggling to find work. Others enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and light-hearted touches — “Free pens, candy! And jobs!” — that made the event both useful and enjoyable.  

The University’s Careers and Employability team supports students year-round through one-to-one appointments, workshops and online tools to enhance employability, explore entrepreneurship, and secure part-time or graduate roles.

Email employers@chester.ac.uk to enquire how the team can support you to engage, recruit and connected with our talented students and graduates. 

Angie Standish, Head of Careers and Employability at the University of Chester, said: “It was fantastic to see so many of our students taking proactive steps to connect in-person with our local employers. Our students support the regional economy by working in various roles across the city and beyond whilst building key skills including customer service, communication, problem solving and team building. We work closely with our employer partners to promote a variety of opportunities to our students, so if you are looking to hire part-time/vacation staff or if you can offer paid internships or paid work experience, please do get in touch.”  

Kirsty Badrock, Employer Engagement Co-ordinator, added: “Whether students were looking for their very first job, a chance to build on existing experience, or ways to explore future career paths, those attending offered such a diverse range of roles across a variety of sectors. We’re so proud to connect our students with opportunities that not only support them financially but also help them develop valuable skills for the future.”