THE One Step Foundation Somerset Skills & Careers Fair returns for the fourth consecutive year next month.

This year's Fair take place on Wednesday, October 12 at The Venue at J24, North Petherton, from 9am to 6pm.

More than 3,100 people from across the county attended the Somerset Skills & Careers Fair last year, making it the largest in the South West.

This year the Careers Fair is supported by Sedgemoor District Council; it remains free to attend and features two distinct sessions:

• 9am to 3pm - outlining the options, opportunities and career pathways available to students leaving school/college, bringing them together with the organisations and establishments who can make this happen.

• Between 3pm and 4pm the event will be closed for a break.

• 4pm to 6pm - dedicated to adults who are looking for a new career or to retrain, as well as students (with parents) who can’t make the earlier slot.

A spokesman for the One Step Foundation said: "The adult jobseeker session is brand new for 2016 and we’re confident it will benefit commercial organisations looking to recruit on the day or find their next apprentice– it’s rare for a recruitment budget of £300 to go so far."

For education and training exhibitors, this is the chance to to sign up mature students and find new recruits for workplaces too.

There will be an extensive range of over 80 exhibitors, including higher education providers, gap year specialists, the armed forces and training companies, with industries such as care, health and beauty and accounting all being represented.

This free event promises to be interactive and fun with visitors to the afternoon slot reminded to bring their CV as exhibitors will be featuring live vacancies and attendees may walk out with a job.

A spokesperson from Sedgemoor District Council said: “Having attended as an exhibitor for a couple of years it was very clear how well organised and beneficial the annual event is to students.

"However, we did feel that it had the potential to reach a much wider audience so approached The Foundation with ideas about adding an adult jobseeker session.

"By partnering with The Foundation we will ensure that local people of all ages now have a fantastic opportunity to consider a new career or re-skilling.”

BBC Somerset, Sedgemoor FM and Atlantic Radio will all be broadcasting during the event.

Some of the best bands from the region’s colleges will be playing acoustic sets throughout the event, featuring in a Battle of the Bands type competition, in a dedicated entertainment area.