A JOBS fair launched by a Hampshire charity on a mission to help people with learning difficulties take their first step into employment has proved a huge success.

More than 100 young people headed to the first ever employment fair held by the Basingstoke branch of Mencap, as part of its ASPIRE project.

Last Wednesday, around 120 young people attended the fair, which was held at Queen Mary’s College, in Cliddesden Road.

And now plans are already underway to make it a regular event.

The programme supports young people with a range of disabilities to gain skills and experience for work, as well as providing support on CV writing, job applications and interview skills.

The employment fair was supported by 22 Basingstoke employers, including Sainsbury’s, Game, Asda and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, while Basingstoke Job Centre Plus provided five health and disability employment advisors.

Basingstoke MP Maria Miller spoke about the important contribution that people with learning disabilities make to the workplace and encouraged local businesses to sign up to the Basingstoke Inclusion Zone (BIZ) charter, which pledges to support jobseekers and employees with learning disabilities.

She said: “It is wonderful to see the support offered to young people with learning disabilities in Basingstoke as they seek employment.

“Companies employing people with learning disabilities have highlighted their loyalty and enthusiasm as employees, and demonstrated the strong business case for employing people with learning disabilities.”

ASPIRE manager Claire Collins added: “After the success of today’s fair, we hope this will become a regular event.

“Having all these important organisations together in one room shows that we really can work together to support people with disabilities into paid employment.”