The Eden Project jobs fair hoping to keep young people in Cornwall

Plenty of young people in Cornwall want to build a working life in the place they grew up. Plenty of them end up thinking they will have to leave to do it. Next Friday, dozens of employers will be under one roof at the Eden Project, trying to show them otherwise.

Cornwall’s Jobs Fair takes place at the Eden Project on Friday 23 October, and it is aimed first and foremost at people aged 18 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training.

What is on offer

The event brings together dozens of businesses operating in Cornwall. The idea is to give young people a chance to hear about the jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities available in their own area, all in one place.

The fair runs during the day for unemployed 18 to 24 year olds. It then opens to the wider public from 1pm to 3pm, so anyone interested can come along, meet employers and find out what is available.

How the fair came about

Cornish Labour MPs Anna Gelderd, Jayne Kirkham and Perran Moon are inviting young people across the county to attend. They say the event follows their work with the Department for Work and Pensions to secure it.

That work included a letter from Anna, MP for South East Cornwall, to the Government on the need for better access to employment opportunities for young people in Cornwall. It was co-signed by Jayne and Perran.

The local figures behind it

The MPs point to local numbers to make the case. In April 2026, these were the figures for people claiming Universal Credit and not in employment:

• Camborne and Redruth: 7,825 people, equivalent to 12.9% of the working-age population
• South East Cornwall: 5,906 people, equivalent to 11.4%
• Truro and Falmouth: 5,077 people, equivalent to 8.5%

What the MPs say

Anna Gelderd said: “I often speak to young people who want to build their careers in Cornwall and in the communities they grew up in but feel they have to look elsewhere to find the right opportunities.

“I am determined to put an end to this, and that is why I have been working with the Department for Work and Pensions and my fellow Cornish MPs to turn those conversations into action and help make this Jobs Fair happen. Bringing dozens of employers and organisations together in one place will make it easier for young people to find out what is available locally, whether that is a job, apprenticeship or training opportunity.

“I want young people across South East Cornwall to be able to see a future for themselves here. I hope as many people as possible will come along and make the most of the opportunities on offer.”

Jayne Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth, said: “Many young people are struggling to find a route from education into work. Our peninsula has so much to offer, with exciting future-focused industries from green energy to advanced manufacturing. Yet barriers remain, and some still feel they need to leave to achieve.

“This event is an important opportunity to bring businesses and young people together, helping them understand the skills employers need and opening up that route to careers here in Cornwall.”