Two years ago George Scurrell was working part time in a supermarket and helping an electrician out unpaid to gain experience.

He was taking a course at the Clacton Campus of Colchester Institute and went along to the Tendring Jobs and Careers Fair to see what might be on offer.

Now George has been employed for almost two years with GCS Alarms - and has been invited back to open this year’s fair on Tuesday (October 4).

It has been quite a turnaround in fortunes and he is enjoying his job.

“I went along to the jobs fair without any high expectations and ended up visiting most of the stands,” he said.

“I found myself at GCS Alarms and was given a leaflet and an application form for a vacancy they had at the time. When I got home I read all the literature and decided to complete the application and dropped it into their offices.”

Within a week George received a call from managing director Paul Dewing inviting him to an interview.

From there he was offered a week’s trial and he has been working there as an alarm engineer ever since.

“I have learnt a huge amount about all aspects of the company and have gained many new skills that I hope will help me to progress in the future,” he added.

“I love my job and I am really glad that my grandfather saw the information about the jobs fair in the Gazette and encouraged me to go along.

“I would urge anyone looking for work or a new career to attend as it could change their life – as it did mine.”

The event is free and run by Tendring District Council (TDC) in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and Essex County Council.

More than 50 local and national companies will be exhibiting at Clacton’s Princes Theatre on Tuesday from 10am to 4pm including those in leisure, catering, care, retailing, manufacturing, construction and logistics, banking and the public sector.

Confirmed exhibitors include Stansted Airport, ASDA, Marks & Spencer, Rose Builders, First Essex Group, Surya Foods and Hotels, The NHS, Abellio Greater Anglia, The Lifehouse, Barclays Digital Eagles team and Premier Inn.

Further details can be found on the TDC web site www.tendringdc.gov.uk/jobsfair or look out for the Twitter handle #tendringjobsfair.

The event is sponsored by ALM Training, Booker, Grange Fencing and Fryers Farm Shop at Lawford.

It is also supported by Abellio Greater Anglia, The Clacton and Frinton and Walton Gazette and The Harwich and Manningtree Standard, and Dream 100.