People seeking a better job or new career defied the rain to attend the Keighley News recruitment and training fair.

Although the weather might have put off some, employers and services were impressed by the “good quality” of applicants who did turn up at the event in the Airedale Centre last Thursday. Amanda White, co-ordinating the jobs fair, said: “The rain has been pelting down but we have had a lot of people turn up, from school-leavers who are trying to get their first foot on the career ladder, to mothers returning to work after having a baby.”

Representatives from Acorn Stairlifts said they already had a list of people to interview after attending the event.

Mel Oldham, recruitment consultant for Acorn, said: “There has been some really good quality candidates come through, especially in warehouse and dispatch and a couple of engineers as well.”

Giselle Elliott, employment advisor at Jobs@, based in the Aire Valley Business Centre, in Lawkholme Lane, agreed.

The other businesses and services represented were Bradford College, Craven College, Orchard Care Homes, Shard Recruitment, Grey’s Recruitment and Serco (WYTS).