All the right moves! Digital job fair will be a key date in Leeds's calendar

The Leeds Digital Job Fair 2.0 launch event.

Dozens of firms are expected to take part in the Leeds Digital Job Fair 2.0, which is being held at the First Direct Arena on Thursday, October 20.

And, speaking at the official launch of the build-up to the event, organiser Amy De-Balsi said it promised to be the perfect showcase for the city’s booming digital sector.

Ms De-Balsi, founder of online jobs board Herd, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “More than 70,000 people are now employed in the digital sector across Leeds city region.

“But with this number growing all the time, firms are finding it increasingly challenging to fill the hundreds of new vacancies being created.

“We received very positive feedback from the first Leeds Digital Job Fair earlier this year which was held in the atrium of the First Direct Arena.

“However, such is the level of demand from employers, Leeds Digital Job Fair 2.0 will be hosted in the main performance area, providing a spectacular backdrop for the day.

“I recently led a Leeds delegation to London’s biggest tech industry job fair, Silicon Milk Roundabout, where we gained valuable tips to make our event even bigger and better.

“These include best practice in promoting Leeds Digital Job Fair 2.0 to companies and tech professionals from overseas.”

Support for the event is coming from Leeds City Council, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds BID, Tech North and the First Direct Arena.

Employers interested in taking up a stand are asked to e-mail [email protected].

Ms De-Balsi was joined at the launch outside the arena by Leeds BID chief executive Andrew Cooper and Coun Mohammed Rafique, the council’s executive member for employment, enterprise and opportunity.

Also present were Tech North director Richard Gregory and arena general manager Ben Williams.

Firms that were represented at the inaugural jobs fair included Sky Betting & Gaming, Google, William Hill and Provident Financial.

The YEP recently launched a new Digital City platform, designed to highlight the giant strides being made by a sector that boasts around 3,000 organisations in Leeds.