More than 740 people turned up to seek  careers and jobs advice at the Your Future event staged at the Isle of Wight College, Newport.

Organisers have heralded the annual event as playing a vital and continuing role in offering young people key careers and educational advice.

The event, sponsored by leading skincare company Liz Earle, also attracted adults seeking careers and jobs information.

The event, commissioned by the Isle of Wight Council and supported by the Isle of Wight College, featured more than 45 employers, as well as representatives from Jobcentre Plus, local training providers and universities including Bournemouth, Cambridge, Chichester, Hertfordshire, Oxford, Portsmouth, Southampton, Southampton Solent and Winchester.

Attendees were offered the chance to try out taster sessions in a range of careers, plus CV building and interview skills – and companies looking to recruit and Jobcentre Plus provided information on current vacancies.

The taster sessions covered areas including beauty, hairdressing, interior design, fitness and exercise, computing, robotics, forensic science, engineering, electrical, motor vehicles, building work and plumbing.

There was also advice and guidance on the new special educational needs and disabilities reforms, with support from the Isle of Wight Council and other organisations. This included sessions using the Isle of Wight College sensory room, in activities such as jewellery-making and card-making.

Executive member for tourism and economy, Councillor Shirley Smart, said: “We are delighted that once again this event has played such an important role in bringing together those seeking careers and jobs information with key contacts in the business and education sectors.

“Such initiatives are vital in helping the Island’s young people and in developing our economy. I’d like to thank all those who organised and participated in the event for helping to once again make it a considerable success.”