The SERC Careers Team was delighted to welcome hundreds of students, staff and employers to the 2026 Jobs & Careers Fairs, held across Bangor, Downpatrick, Newtownards and Lisburn throughout February. This year’s events once again proved to be an invaluable platform for students exploring their next steps, offering direct access to employers, training providers and industry professionals from across Northern Ireland.
Spread over four days, each fair created a vibrant hub of conversation, learning and networking as attendees engaged with organisations representing sectors from engineering and tech to health, business, hospitality, youth work, public services, and more.
Across all campuses, students had the opportunity to meet employers who are actively recruiting for jobs, apprenticeships and work experience; explore a range of career pathways, including progression to higher education or specialist training; Learn directly from professionals about the skills, qualifications and attributes employers value most; and build confidence by asking questions and practising networking in a supportive environment.
Whether students were preparing to enter the workforce or considering future study, the fairs offered something for everyone — from practical advice to inspiring conversations.
Attendees had the chance to speak with an impressive and diverse exhibitor line-up, representing many of Northern Ireland’s leading employers and organisations including: Accounting Technicians Ireland, Abbeyfield & Wesley, Army Reserves, Autism Initiatives, Balloo Hire, Bidvest Noonan, BT, CITB NI, Housing Executive, Kainos, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, MPA Recruitment, Nerve Centre, NIE Networks, NI Social Care Council (NISCC), Pure Gym, Randox, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Royal College of Nursing (RCN), South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT), SEHSCT Social Work Team, The Recruitment Company, Totalis, TUI Lisburn, Version 1, Early Years, McDonalds, Quinn Piling, Seafish, Walter Watson, Clearly Kids, Hastings, Teleperformance, Active Youth NI, PSNI, and Thales.
This broad representation ensured that students from all disciplines were able to explore options relevant to their interests, ambitions and future goals. The Careers Team would like to thank every student, staff member and employer who took part in this year’s Jobs & Careers Fairs. The enthusiasm and engagement across all campuses made each event a real success.
We encourage any students who still have questions — or who would like one-to-one support with planning their next steps — to get in touch with the Careers Team here at SERC.
