With a record 130 vacancies advertised on its jobs’ board, employment charity Work Avenue welcomed 75 people to its first recruitment fair.

There was coffee, cake and career guidance in the wake of what Work Avenue job placement manager Yael Solomons described as “an explosion in vacancies, with so many employers in the community choosing to advertise with us. “We are expecting lots of placements as a result.”

Over the past two years, more than 125 vacancies in 50 communal organisations have been filled through the jobs’ board.

The charity has also helped hundreds more into work through its mix of workshops, seminars and one-to-one expert advice.

Positions filled range from entry level admin roles to COO and CEO posts.

Work Avenue chief executive David Arden noted that “even during the darkest days of the pandemic there was some community recruitment going on.

“But there has been a significant uplift this year. Our aim is to operate at the heart of the Jewish community, helping people find work — and businesses and charities find staff — in order to improve the lives of the community we serve.”

Among attendees at the recruitment fair was Lana, who is looking for her first job in the UK after arriving in London earlier this year. She has already lined up two interviews on the back of the event, which she described as “a really positive” experience.

“A Work Avenue employment adviser helped me understand the UK jobs market in general and which of their live vacancies could be suitable for me. I hope to land a job very soon.”