AROUND 100 organisations are attending an employment fair today, designed to help military families.

The Military Community Educational and Employment Fair is at Tidworth Leisure Centre until 5pm, offering breakout sessions, presentations and advice to military families who are looking to re-skill, upskill or find new opportunities.

Dozens of employers are signed up to take part in the event, as well as Wiltshire Council and University Centre, X-Forces Enterprise and the Department for Work and Pensions.

And around 70 per cent of the attending organisations are actively recruiting or will be offering training opportunities, including avenue ideas for spouses and children of military personnel.

Councillor Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council and cabinet member for economic development, said: “This fair is an excellent way for the military community and their families to find out more about the many avenues available for them to work and train in our county.

"Wiltshire has a real mix of opportunities to set up business, further your career through training, or join dynamic workplaces.

"Over the last few weeks we’ve welcomed many service personnel and their families to Wiltshire as part of the Army Basing Programme and we would invite them to come and find out more about what is available in our county.”

Colonel Andrew Dawes, Commander South West, who is one of the event hosts in partnership with Wiltshire Council, added: "[The fair is] ideally timed for the families of our personnel that arrived in Wiltshire during the summer to explore the myriad of opportunities on offer or find out how to enhance their employment skills. Do drop in after the school run or on your way to the shops – there’ll be a vast array of businesses and organisations there all day for you to speak with.”