Final forum job fair wraps

As the final Mandurah Forum career fair wrapped around 1,500 'meet & greet' interviews took place with over 160 jobs on offer yesterday. 

It's estimated upon completion the new centre will have created a minimum of 700 ongoing retail, hospitality and service jobs.

During the final job fair yesterday around 160 jobs were offered across 22 businesses with 100 of those roles up for grabs in the food & beverage industry.

Over 1,500 short interviews took place allowing job seekers to meet with retailers and ensuring everyone who came had the chance to meet potential employers.

Mandurah Forum Centre Manager Jacqueline McKenzie said she was impressed by the level of preparation the job seekers had undertaken before meeting with their retailers of choice.

“I was thrilled to see the job seekers treating the Jobs Fair like an interview by coming prepared with their resumes, researching the skills and experience required for the job and having questions ready for the retailers they were hoping to apply for employment with,” she said. 

“I am very excited to welcome a diverse range of people and skills to the team of retailers at Mandurah Forum in the coming months as we approach the grand opening."

New retailers were on the hunt for employees including food outlet Ribs & Burgers and fashion retailers H&M and Gazman.

WA & SA Area Manager for Universal Store Nicole Cowley said she was impressed by potential candidates and thanked Mandurah Forum for putting on the event.

"The jobs fair meant that Universal Store was able to interview a vast range of applicants that were suited to the jobs we have available in the opening of our new store," she said. 

A range of roles were on offer with full and par time and casual opportunities available across hospitality, fashion, services and general retail stores. 

Over 600 mini interviews took place in the fashion, services and general retail are with more new stores like Forever New and Sketchers planning to open their doors in the almost fully completed Mandurah  Forum renovations and expansion.

One hundred jobs were up for grabs between Ribs & Burgers, Zambrero and Wild Sea Australian Seafood while the entire food & beverage sector saw over 650 potential employees. 

State Manager for Ribs & Burgers Laurie Thorpe said having a booth at the job fair helped the food outlet engage with community members eager to work with and grown within the company.

“We’re all about supporting the local community and providing opportunities for people of all skills levels within our organisation," she said. 

These new retailers and hospitality operators will open their doors in the final stage of Mandurah Forum’s $350 million redevelopment which will be unveiled in the coming months.

Mandurah Forum made it a priority to recruit local contractors during the construction phase, in addition to hosting three job fairs in a bid to boost community employment.