FOLLOWING the phenomenal success of last month's Gazette Job Scene Roadshow, a number of organisations have already started to book stands at next year's event.

Barker Personnel Services, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Magistrates Court, Office Angels, the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Southampton, Select Appointments and the Lodden School are just some of those who have already booked for The Gazette Job Scene Roadshow at The Anvil, Basingstoke, in 2005.

Thames Valley Police has exhibited annually since the first event in 2001. The chief inspector of personnel for the force, Geoff Smith, said: "This event raises awareness for Thames Valley and we have recruited well from Job Scene."

Basingstoke currently enjoys one of the highest economic activity rates in the UK, and one of the lowest unemployment levels, at just one per cent.

This presents organisations with a tough challenge and a recent Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council survey discovered that 65 per cent of businesses experience problems with recruitment and retention, while 70 per cent also cited problems in attracting the right staff in the first place.

The Gazette Job Scene Roadshow, on March 9, 2005, is carefully planned to assist companies in addressing recruitment and retention problems, in addition to helping them achieve diversity.

By holding the event in March, roadshow organisers plan to catch the post-Christmas recruitment activity, when people are spring cleaning their careers as well as their homes.

To promote the event, help has been enlisted from recruitment and training advisory bodies, in order to get the word out to young people and adults. Community organisations are also going to be informed to ensure that ethnic groups are also reached.

Not only do local, regional and national companies appreciate the importance of the event to their recruitment strategies, they also recognise its value as a PR platform and networking opportunity.

Laura Corns, who works in external relations for King Alfred's University College, Winchester, described it as a "good event for raising the profile".

Entry is free, to ensure there are no barriers to attendance, and exhibitors will be visited by all types of job-seekers.

Organiser TJW Exhibitions Ltd is the first exhibitions company to be awarded associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Customer Service, and takes special pride in providing an exceptional service to exhibitors and visitors alike.

For more information on exhibiting at the event, contact Danielle Hinds on 01823 250930, e-mail danielle.hinds@tj.co.uk or visit www.jobscene.co.uk