The engineers, PR directors and hairdressers of the future will soon be inspired as Skillsfest 2013, Gloucestershire’s biggest apprenticeship and careers event, returns.

Based at Gloucester Rugby Club on Tuesday, March 5, the event will bring together businesses, schools, young people, parents and training providers to find out about apprenticeships and career opportunities.

Sarah Danson from the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Challenge Group, which runs Skillsfest 2013,, said: “Skillsfest 2012 was a great success and next year the event will offer even more. There will be dozens of exhibitors available to discuss apprenticeships, training, college and university courses, career routes and jobs all under one roof. There will also be further taster activities to inspire and inform visitors and employability workshops for schools.”

Skillsfest 2012 was attended by more than 1,300 individuals including 440 school children and this year is planning to be even bigger and better. At the Skillsfest 2013 there will also be a chance for visitors to try “have a go” activities which will give them hands-on experience of new skills, from engineering to writing press releases.

Skillsfest 2013, is run by the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Challenge group, which actively promotes the creation of apprenticeships in all sectors of business. The group is made up of representatives from economic development company GFirst, which runs Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, the National Apprenticeship Service, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, Gloucestershire College, Cirencester College, other training providers and local employers.

The event will run from 9.30am until 6.30pm at Gloucester Rugby Club, Kingsholm, Gloucester, GL1 3AX.

For more information or to book a stand visit www.glosskillsfest.co.uk .