Unemployed people in Exeter will have their needs highlighted this week when Devon's 'largest ever' job club comes to the city.
Hundreds of job seekers are expected to attend the 'Super Job Club' on Friday at Belmont Chapel and Job Centre Plus where they will be supported in their pursuit of work.
The event is being run by the Exeter YMCA – the city's only provider of voluntary employment support for those seeking work – as well as Job Centre Plus and Barclays bank.
Attendees will be able to benefit from a range of relevant support including employment advice, help searching for job vacancies, feedback on CVs, mini mock interviews, and seminars.
An Exeter YMCA spokesman said: "It is estimated that over 300 people will gain support from this one off 'Super Job Club'.
"The aim of the day is to support job seekers in their pursuit of work, enable them to meet other people in similar situations and to make them aware of the full range of support available to them through Job Centre Plus, Exeter YMCA and its partner organisations.
"It is hoped that the event will also raise awareness of the difficulties faced by many people looking for work, whether they be financial worries or prejudices."
In January 2014 there were 1,470 Job Seeker Allowance (JSA) claims in Exeter, down 507 on the previous year.
That figure means that 1.8% of working age population in Exeter was claiming JSA, compared to 3% nationally.
The charity spokesman added: "Whilst these figures look optimistic, unemployment is significantly higher amongst many of the communities Exeter YMCA work with e.g. the homeless and ex-offenders, where unemployment can be as high as 74 per cent."
It currently runs nine drop-in job clubs for those deemed from the employment market, such as the homeless, ex-offenders, disadvantaged young people and those facing disabilities.
Last year 99 per cent of its clients achieved their goal of meaningful and sustainable employment.
The event will take place on May 16 from 10am to 4pm.
