SCORES of Job hunters took flocked to a careers fair at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock following Inverclyde's recent series of employment setbacks .

A total of 25 organisations and companies from across a wide array of sectors attended the event looking to offer advice and take on new staff.

The Wise Group, a social enterprise dedicated to helping people out of poverty, hosted the timely event, which follows news of jobs going at the RBS mortgage centre at Cartsburn and the closure of the nearby EE call centre after over 20 years.

The event was held in partnership with the DWP, local firm McGill's Buses and Clydelink Ltd.

Greenock Telegraph:

People from all walks of life got the chance to explore opportunities and to meet employers face to face as well as get advice with CVs and interviews.

Cairne Quinn, a team leader with Fair Start Scotland, which assists individuals looking for jobs and helps employers address recruitment needs, said there had been an increase in demand for their services.

She said: "Our number of referrals in the area has increased.

"People on the programme get the chance to engage with employers.

"They can get contacts with organisations that are actually recruiting."

A range of companies and organisations including the Army, builders Balfour Beatty and McGill's, Sanmina Ltd, River Clyde Homes and the Richmond Fellowship had stands at the fair.

In addition to helping people find employment Cairne says she has also been reaching out to claimants to make sure they receive all the benefits they are entitled to.

She said: "We have helped to claim £1 million in attendance allowance across the two areas. Of the 190 referrals only four were declined.

"This money is making a difference to people and it also helps the local economy by creating jobs for other people."